A Note from Chuck on Message #185

Last night, while reviewing Chapter 13 of The Eagle’s Gift by Carlos Castaneda, entitled The Intricacies of Dreaming, I encountered the shaman’s description of what happens to awareness after death, often “consumed” by The Eagle. In our forthcoming book, The Book of Us, the impact of this construct on Jeanne and I, when engaged in Tensegrity and in her preparation to leave this world, is discussed. This question today was a follow up to that construct from Jeanne’s experience and vantage point, now, in infinity. She offers a clarification of the eagle construct in terms more universally recognizable, and therefore useful in understanding the shaman’s path, and in everyone’s preparation for their encounter with infinity.

#185 Keep Your Antenna Up

Dear Jeanne,
Today is Friday, the end of another week. You have spoken now about a time of culmination and energy-building that is affecting us all, in some way. I gather that this culmination is about to reach its breaking point. What can we expect then?

Reach into your heart-centered selves now, and retrieve all that you have learned during this time of preparation. Reach in, and grasp the knowledge of the self that has arisen with this rise in energy, and hold fast to these new tools, so well-honed, and so well-protected in your moments of tranquility. Take these with you as you ride now through this day of culmination. Take your calm, your inner self-study methods, and your understanding of energy, and allow these lessons in creative balancing to aid you now as you rise, as the energy peaks, and as you navigate your way through the crashing upon the shores of life.

For there is, with culmination, also a great letting-down. Do not be fooled by the high energetic intensity that may delight you; for know that it will be followed by a tumultuous letting-down that may come as a delightful settling, or a disturbing and unsettling rumpus. Either way will there be much to be aware of, to keep your eyes open to, your hearing alert to, and your body prepared for. There may be need to use your new skill of turning away, pivoting, sweeping away, and going into calm retreat during this time of final triumph and turmoil. Do not fear this, or become anxious in anticipation, for it will arrive in your life in meaningful fashion. Who ever you are, and where ever you are, will this time of energetic force, culmination, and descent, bring with it what you most need now, in your life now. It will also deliver you to the place that you must next start out from, as you awaken tomorrow to a new day of new energy and new possibility. This is good.

Well, what then? What comes next?

Do not be so eager to hurry things along, My Dear! Await what life brings. This time of culmination bodes well for many, and what awaits will be in collusion with that. This time also carries with it plenty of opportunity to make a few meaningful mistakes, and that too will carry possibility for great change. It also has possibility of destructive, breaking apart in its character, and that may be the fate of others. There are as many possibilities as there are people upon that earth, but, above all, is this energy preparing you for change, for movement forward to a new phase, and for growth.

Choices will need to be made. This will be the biggest challenge of many. But now have you learned many things about making choices. Will you choose with spirit orientation, first and foremost? Will you seek meaningful decisions that may not be popular, but are right? Will you determine that your next step is going to be drastically different from your present direction? Or will you decide to remain, yet a little longer, on the path that now has you feeling comfortable and complacent? Will you choose change? That is probably the question that will be the most daring to ask your self now: Do I choose change? Am I ready to declare myself freed of my old habits, patterns, relationships, debilitating behaviors, and mundane ideas? Am I ready now to go on a new adventure?

These challenges may appear at your doorstep now, as the energy finally culminates and seeks entry into your life to stir you up a little, and advance you further in a new direction. Are you ready for such energetic change? The decision is yours. You are fully in control. New relationships have great potential to blossom. Old relationships have equal potential to rekindle, and grow now in a different way. But all of these relationships require awareness in order to continue utilizing this good energy of change.

The good energy of change will not last long if it is simply sipped, and drunk, and then abandoned on the morrow. The energy must be captured, and saved, and made to last, kept in awareness, and utilized with sober maturity, and adult decisions peppering your coming days. Seek to remain in balance now. Seek to remember that you are on a journey, and that every choice you make should be meaningful, and right for your spirit growth and orientation.

Watch the energy within you, and without. Do not allow the big baby to rule, but put the big baby to bed early tonight, or better yet, don’t get it out of bed at all today, and stay in your mature and enlightened awareness today. Keep your antenna up, looking, looking for your place in this energetic profusion. Do not get lost in the confusion or the dismay of it. Do not become overwhelmed. If on the verge of total disarray, or loss of place, simply pull back into your heart center, and go calm, go blank to the outside world, and awaken to your inner you. Listen to the voice of reason that will speak from this place of inner knowing. And then, do as it knowingly, and soberly suggests, and you will be fine.

Okay, you are giving us a lot of warnings. Is this energy really so volatile, so crazy?

Yes, to put it plainly and succinctly: This energy, now on the verge of culmination, has been brewing and stewing for quite some time, and it holds within its power much awareness and possibility. On the flip side, especially for those who remain unaware, does it carry may surprises. So please be alert. Within your own life may you experience it as but a large wave of energetic propulsion that will advance you greatly; or you may experience the great undertow that is sure to follow; or you may fall from its crest, unable to sustain your desire to ride it out. Protect yourself now with the knowledge that this is a time of great shift, great opportunity, great change, great forcefulness, and equally open for great opposition to burst forth. So be aware.

How long will this culmination last?

Be aware of negative and positive pulls now, fighting and propelling life forward for the next 24 hours. Then will you notice a lull, a depression, before a final surge, as a sense of pulling back will occur, and then one final release. By Monday morning will it all be over.

Restore then your balance, your state of self and your surroundings, to calm upright return to normal, but a new normal. Normal, in the sense of inner calm, and orientation on spirit, and spirit direction. Do not lose contact with this aspect of the self now. Watch what happens over the next few days. Your job is to remain steady, no matter what the energy does. Ride your ship through the waves, steer your way clear of debris, and weather the storm using all of your awareness and your newly learned skills.

It is a time of great energetic possibility. It continues now to build, and your awareness of this is now your greatest tool, and much to your advantage. I can only wish you all the best, My Fine Traveling Companions. Now, it is up to you!

Okay. Chuck has a question for you regarding the concept of “the eagle,” and the shamans of Carlos Castaneda’s line. Is their contention, that the eagle consumes the awareness of those who have not prepared properly, correct? What happens? Are those shamans so evolved that they are the only ones who get past the eagle? Who gets to keep their awareness after death from this life? You kept yours, right?

This is a great, a big, question with many ideas attached to it, for it is not so simple as stated, even by the shamanic line that I did study upon that earth. Everyone has the opportunity to retain awareness, but those who succeed have done much preparation, even as the shamans of Carlos’ line did. But one does not need to be a shaman, or of that line, in order to recognize the moment of choice, the moment of acceptance and reconciliation, with the knowledge and awareness offered one. To prepare for this event is what I now seek to offer to those of you who are currently under the tutelage of my mission. It is not only my mission, but a great concerted effort by many to awaken you, and many others, to the evolutionary possibilities that are available and awaiting your discovery. I use the term “my mission,” not in egoistical fashion, but only to bring conciseness to my language.

All are given the opportunity to recapitulate fully upon crossing the great divide between worlds, but one must be available to accept the facts, the truth, the truths of the self, and the many lives one has lived, in order to fully advance beyond the realm of that earthbound cycle of life. It is a choice we make. You know already that I chose advancement, and although I had worked quite hard to be prepared so did I still have duties to perform regarding life upon that earth. This I undertook before I advanced and worked my way forward to where I am now, continuing to choose to grow in this energetic state, rather than be propelled back into a new cycle of living upon that earth. The Eagle is merely the moment of clarity, of discovery, the great perceiver who offers the opportunity for all to choose whether or not to reincarnate upon that earth, or to advance in energy form.

It is not a time of much contemplation or study, but a brief moment of awareness when all is revealed, all is understood, all is explained, and knowledge of everything is granted. Challenges are presented. But awareness is key, even if only one point is fixated upon can it mean the difference between evolutionary potential and returned focus to life upon that earth.

What do you mean?

If you have trained your awareness, if you already are aware of your energy body, your past lives, aware of seeking wholeness, and desirable for completion as a spiritual energy body may your alertness aid you in recognizing what it is that you must do in order to gain entry into the evolutionary levels of growth in your energy body. This is the first test. If your awareness fixates on something else, such as remaining connected to some human aspect that is yet unfulfilled, or unwilling to release you, may your fixation and attention upon such detail, in that moment of choice, keep you earthbound and the necessity of another life becomes your decision. It takes great struggle to remain aware at this crucial point. This is thus known, by those shamans, as the moment of The Eagle, for the great claws and beak are but symbols of the moment of struggle and decision, the pinpoint in time when awareness kicks in. But what awareness is it that you fixate upon? This is your choice.

To be gobbled up by the eagle is to remain fixated upon that life, upon that earth, the unresolved, the unadvanced, unaware aspects that bind you to your human form, even now, and require that you live that life to the fullest, experiencing all of it in order to eventually complete it, and gain awareness of other possibilities. To remain aware during the time of greatest possibility is what we now seek to train as many as possible to achieve, for it is crucial now. There is a great backlog of unevolved, unaware, energy beings who, if only taught a few things, will have aid in choosing to advance and free up the energetic confusion and dullness that now holds many so earthbound. There is so much more to experience!

Okay, I have to stop now. We’ll talk about this another time. Any last comment?

Do not fixate too much on what is to come. But prepare now for experience of this by inculcating it in your daily life. Learn awareness skills now. Enjoy the magic of life, of true energy, now, and have a taste of this awareness so that it becomes known to you, your own familiar companion. Your energy body awaits your discovery, and once found will you have the opportunity to go adventuring, and that, My Dears, is just what you should be doing, going on adventures into other worlds, so that your understanding of how everything works is advanced and well-trained. Then will your moment of The Eagle be clear, and your choice obvious. So, keep this in mind: Train now to access your energy body. Don’t wait until the last minute, for then it may not be obvious to you how to choose, as your awareness may be drawn to fixate on the wrong issue for evolutionary advancement at that moment. But still, may it be what you truly need, at that moment, especially if you have not prepared for such a moment’s choice, and your obvious choice will be to reincarnate and give yourself a new chance to learn evolutionary tactics in that earth environment once again. Anything is possible. But, you can prepare!

This is all I, we, seek to teach and alert you to, all the possibilities that exist as you live, and learn, and open up to the experiences of energy upon that earth. This day of culmination is a good time to open to this evolutionary potential that awaits. I invite you all to be aware of it, and see what happens!

#184 The Clear Road of Possibility That Lies Ahead

Dear Jeanne,
Do you have a message for humanity today?

Glance up now, looking toward the horizon, and notice that your path is open, straight, and clear. Where are the pitfalls, the fissures, the blocks, and the walls that appear so often to cause your dismay? Are they not created as you work your way along your path? Do they not appear to trick or trip you as you proceed on your journey, tests of your strength and your conviction to growth? But where are they now, as you lift your eyes from your feet, and your intense self-study, and gaze out into the future? The truth of the future is an open road, nothing inhabits it because you have yet to walk there and place your burdens along side it, and yet to draw stumbling blocks to your side. Look not at the troubles you now carry. Look not at the past you have left behind. Look not at the disarray all around you, but instead look forward into the clear road of possibility that lies ahead.

As this time of culmination now draws its final breath and blows out its steam and its stream of energetic force, and as the smoke and litter clear, notice that beyond all of that clutter lies the open road. A new view is being revealed now. A new day is arriving; a new clear path is being revealed to you so that your journey may proceed differently. If you choose this path, if you choose to see the new direction, and the new perspective, and look in the direction of this new horizon, so do you offer your self the rewards of your hard self-work and your engagement in this time of energetic confrontation.

Look at your new view. What kind of landscape is opening before you? What does seek to signal to you your new direction and your new connection? For now will there be opportunity, connected to spirit growth. But will you notice? Are you there yet, at the point of acceptance of this aspect of the self? If you are ready for great change, now will be the time to make the leap. If you are daring enough to embrace a new you, the one you have been drawing out into life, into play, into work, and into reality, creating a new you, then will this time coming be the time to urge that new you to participate more fully in this life.

Do not keep the eager spirit hidden inside you. Such energy is acceptable now in this time of blooming hope for drastic change, even as the earth and the forces created by man upon it do strife and create havoc and worry. Do not attach to the debris of such creation, but instead embrace the knowing spirit in all of you, in all of us energy beings, and look toward a new future, fully acknowledging that this spirit that exists inside each of you, who are working so hard to wake it up, does also exist in all of mankind. With such potential, as yet uncovered, is there possibility for great change.

Look outward now, into your own future, both near and far ahead, and determine how you will choose to proceed. Is your spirit yet afraid? Does it need more prodding? Does it seek yet more reassurance from you that it will be safe as you protect it from harm and abrasive confrontation? Is it wary, yet daring at the same time? Show it the new view. Allow it to experience its own resonance in that future view. Even though the way is clear, so is there understanding that anything may pop up along the way to challenge you both, and this your spirit knows.

Enable now your spirit to accompany you on your journey as time of culmination, change, and a new dawning approaches. It is up to you to be in charge, to ask your spirit self, your truth, and your innocence to accompany you now on your journey, more fully integrated into your life, more fully participant, and more fully your companion in all aspects of your life.

This is a time now of great choice making, decision making, and allowing your self, all aspects of the self, to view your life ahead differently. The path is clear. Do you see? There is nothing blocking your way. It is wide open, and full of possibility. Only what you bring with you will create blocks, yet must you dare to make the journey, continuing to work and dismantle the oldnesses that burden you. Continue your self-work, even as you take the hand of your spirit self, and go now into newness as the next dawn does approach. It is a day of decision making. Choose well, choose right for your self, and choose for growth. I urge you all to take advantage of this time of culmination to move now greatly forward in possibility. That is where your focus should remain, on the clearing ahead, as the air clears and debris is blown and swept away. Look at what lies ahead. Stay focused on that.

#183 Access Your Heart-Centered Self

Dear Jeanne,
Do you have a message for us today?

Create now your own energetic world within your self, allowing your self to utilize the energy inside that does seek growth and vitality, that does seek entry into your everyday life. This energy is brewing inside you. Even as you turn away from attaching to outside energy now do you allow your own powerful life energy to percolate and brew a warm fountain of your own resonance. Allow this inner energetic brew to become your focus now as you go into your inner sanctum. Study it. Learn how it feels. Even if it is but stirring slightly. Even if it is still buried, allow it to awaken now, and feel it. Feel the truth of it, this, your own energy, pure and innocent, uncontaminated by outside interferences.

This personal fount of energy is to be treasured and cultivated. It is the essence of your own being, your spirit energy that you are beginning to recognize and will learn more about as you evolve. Take time today to go deeply into calm and quiet. Give yourself a few minutes of utter removal from your outside self and, under perfect circumstances of quiet removal, find first your heart center; then feel your resident, personal energy, sitting there, calmly waiting for you to recognize it.

This involves drawing your self into inner calm, and inner silence, closing your self off from the outside world, and from the constant chatter in your head. Shut down your mental thinking. As I like to say: Take off your head! Without it will you be able to access your heart-centered self, where thinking is pure and easy, and your voice honest and truthful. From this heart center feel your calmness, and allow it to radiate outward into the far reaches of your body and go still further into calmness.

Prop your self into a comfortable position as you do this, so you do not need to uphold that heavy physical body. With it safely supported, can your attention be placed solely upon your inner you. Allow your calmness to guide you to your energy. This energy, without thought, without distractions, can become yours with daily practice. It is the essence of life, of you, and how you will access your inner spirit self.

By allowing for daily calmness, in quiet removal, leaving your head outside the door of your inner sanctum do you offer yourself access to your truth. This is good for today. Incubate your self in a warm incubator of your own choosing, and find your innocence there, waiting for your mature attention. In the final analysis, is it this self that you will follow into new worlds, so it behooves you to begin accessing it now, and even access those other worlds, which await exploration now too. You are fully capable, all of you, of finding this resonant energetic self, this calm innocence, and learning to play with it. Begin to invite it out to play a little at a time. You are in control, and you are the only one it trusts. But you must be in your own truth, your calm mature knowing state, in order to access it.

Go gently, go softly, go calmly to your innocence today, and sit together, feeling your energetic resonance. It’s a great place to begin recognizing your energy body. Then who knows what may happen as you explore further!

#182 Build Your Own Inner Sanctum

Dear Jeanne,
Do you have guidance for us today as we deal with this energy of culmination?

Do not get caught, My Dears, in focusing on the end result. Do not allow the idea of culmination to captivate your attention, for in so doing will you miss the beautiful nuances that await your attention, aiding you in your growth. The culmination should not be the focus, but the minutiae of your every day life are there to teach you, occurring when necessary to lead you to your inner work. The culmination is of no greater consequence now, for you do not know what it carries in its energetic force. It may carry good will and intent, or it may catapult you in a forceful manner, but of this you have no knowing. At present, are you but on the path, and the details of the path are where your attention must be placed as you deal with your daily life, asking always the question: What does this mean for my inner journey?

Your inner journey, and your inner exploration are your path. Each step along the way is as important as the one before, and the one to come. Find always meaning in each step. Find always growth in each step. Do not waste your energy, worrying about what is to come, for it will come of its own accord, when the time is right. Be prepared for it, by concentrating your energy and your attention on the work of the self. The inner turning is the way to allow for this work of the self to have focus and impact.

As you turn, both inward and away from distractions, examine your motives, your habits, your avoidances, and your behaviors with others as meaningful. Everything is meaningful; so do not dismiss what you experience as insignificant. Do not place responsibility for your own feelings and reactions upon others. Do not judge or criticize your self for having such feelings and reactions, but learn from them. What do they mean? Why are you having such feelings? Not related to what is outside of you, but why as related to the inner you? What is it, deeply hidden inside you, that seeks your attention, by acting and reacting in such a manner?

Find your place of calm and of balance. Find a place, a physical place of retreat where you can go in order to do the work of the self. Break some of your old habits, one at a time, by shifting away from them, and returning to your place of retreat, and allowing your self to go into calm investigation of the self. Even as energetic tension and pressure do continue to build all around you, continue your process, and your quick movement of shifting, turning away, and build your own quiet sanctum where the outside interferences have no entry point. Build your self a cozy nook, a sealed container, where only you and your inner self are invited. This can be a physical place, constructed as a meditation spot, where energy is good for you, or it can be a quiet turning inward that you can hone and access no matter where you are. But remember, the point of such turning away, such retreat, is not for purposes of hiding or sulking, but for specific intent: to learn the whys of the self.

Your inner you awaits, and deserves your undivided attention, especially now, as the energy is available to aid you as it pushes you inward, if you dare to turn your back on it, and allow it to shove you into your inner sanctum. It may even aid you, by slamming the door shut behind you! Allow your self this quiet place, this quiet time. You do not even need to do much when there. Just sit quietly, and see what comes to greet you. It will, undoubtedly, be the issue most pressing and necessary to work on.

This is good for today. Do not get caught in the energy of culmination. Do not get lost in worry about the peaking of this energy and what it will bring you. Remain calm in knowing that it brings exactly what you need, and turn away from it now, and focus on the facts of this day. What does this day present? Nothing else matters, except this moment, and how you deal with it. Are you doing it differently now? That is all that matters, that you change, shift, turn away, sweep clean and clear your energetic field, and turn inward, allowing the energy to close you in to your inner place of self-study and calm. And once there, await your lessons; and do them well, for they will come to aid you in your growth.

Have no doubts, now. Push your doubts away. They do not have a place in your calmness, nor do they get invited in to your inner sanctum. Only truth is invited in to your inner place of learning, and only truth will speak, if you go utterly quiet and allow it to have voice. You may be surprised at what it says to you, but study it for the lesson you must learn today. This is good!

Chuck Ketchel, LCSWR