THERE IS HUGE focus in our spiritual circles on the many, many layers to conceptual truth. Most all of these simply dance around awakening. For instance, when I look at this exciting magazine each month, there is a vast array of perceptions being shared in regard to the layers of spiritual living. The crystal white light is truly broken into all colors of the spectrum offering a shade for everyone, depending on where they see themselves on the wheel of spiritual progression/ascension.

PLW is "a spiritual buffet" for a seeker to explore a wide variety of concepts and ideas, engaging their awakening to self at whatever level they feel is required to grow. And while I personally feel this is great, and there is a joy in being able to act as an artistic liaison in bridging some spiritual intimacy into the lives of many, there is often something very simple and very profound being overlooked in this search: At some point it serves us well to shift from being spiritual "seekers", to being spiritual "finders".

What is the difference between being a seeker versus a finder? It's very simple. A spiritual seeker is forever on a mission to find "the next thing" that might gift them the knowing they believe enlightenment will provide. Whereas a spiritual finder has been devoured by the realization that enlightenment is not a state of knowing, but rather a state of "being". How did the spiritual "finder" arrive at this truth? By recognizing "what has no levels".

We know that levels have their place in the world, and are very practical in accomplishing a task or achieving a dream. But when we take life's rules, and attempt to operate in a mode of "attainment", or under the pretense of some idea of spiritual "advancement", the whole approach can actually be detrimental to our awakening. And it's merely a postponement to what can happen for anyone, right here, right now. Anything important that ever happens always takes place right here, right now.

I don't believe spiritual awakening is "work" at all. Spiritual awakening is what happens when the work of striving for EVERYTHING is put aside. And by this I mean when all concepts are laid to rest, including any concept one has of oneself. Now, we don't need to lay our self-concepts down for eternity. On the contrary, our lives are important and we need to meet our responsibilities on the level necessary to fulfill our every obligation. My point is simply that we tend to bring that same set of rules that function in our day to day existence, into our spiritual healing rituals, and it doesn't work. Life's rules don't apply to spiritual awakening. In fact, as a wonderful teacher shared with me a dozen or more years ago, "The key to the universe is that its door has been left unlocked".

What we tend to overlook in our "quest" for spiritual ascension is the recognition of what is changeless during all change. May I say this again, please? What we tend to disregard in our searching, is what is forever untouched by life's every search and its every acquisition. Metaphorically speaking, we look at the midnight sky, in awe at the beauty of twinkling and thinking stars and planets, and yet, we fail to recognize the "container" of the universe as True Self.

What causes this cycle? For most of us, we become so entrenched in the conditioning necessary in our day-to-day lives that we don't know when to break away from "the ACT" of that behavior, when we attempt to engage the power of spiritual knowing. The pivotal shift is moving from "doing" to "being" and this requires putting down conceptual spirituality. As a result of our inability to surrender our "levels" of seeking, very few of us have made the transition of being able to bring heightened spiritual awareness back to the physicality of our daily lives, and overlay its wisdom into the thoughts and actions sustained thereof. Where we said we were "willing to wake up" at the beginning of the search, very few of us actually live our lives every day as an awakened being.

The measure of an ascended being is the degree of compassion given to every single person encountered in our day-to-day life. The degree to which compassion is NOT available to something, someone, or some idea, marks the lack of growth in one's spiritual enlightenment.

May I challenge you at this time, today, or for the next few days, to "call off the search"? Jot those four words down on a piece of paper and stick it next to your calendar or computer screen, or the bathroom mirror. And may I challenge you to expand your definition of what compassionate action means to you, and see where your personal blockages to living your life as awakened being stand? Just take notice. We are constantly sent pulses from the center of Oneness showing us where we have gates to open within our heart's garden. You won't have to look far... for the holographic universe will "sound on" for you within a few minutes of having completed reading these words.

And in the meantime, I hope you enjoy the musical selections we received this month as much as we have. There is no sound in space, so enjoy the brilliant songs of Earth.

And you,
I love.

Aven

Sacred Chants
Tom Kenyon


Tom Kenyon is the founder of Acoustic Brain Research, and a renowned sound healer with a remarkable vocal ability, possessing a range of nearly 4 octaves. This compilation of sacred chants has been passed down through time and many are considered to be stairways to heaven, literal vehicles for inner travel. I am compelled to agree.

As usual, from the opening moments of his work, Tom's tender bellow captured my entire awareness. In seconds I was resting in the metasensory state that he is such a master of bringing forth. I touched the root of every tree and turned over slowly within the soil of the soul. I experienced sensations erupting from the earth's magnetic fields, pushing upward through my flesh, leaving every single hair covering my body to stand straight up on its end.

There's a hydrating quality to ocean air, as the ions dance and plunge in and out of the body, not only through the lungs, but the skin itself. This is precisely the sense I have while receiving Tom's gifts, as if my cell tissue is being fed. The great beauty within these recordings is as nutritious as the most sacred thanksgiving meal could ever be.

There is tremendous healing potential available in all his recordings, but I must say that this is my personal favorite. For those who know me well, I'm not usually drawn to male vocals in general, but Tom is quite the exception. His voice is as gentle and timeless as the wind itself, parting doorways to sacred chambers of the ancient ones. The journey he offers is one that I will take again and again. Perhaps I'll see you on the way.

Listen to audio samples of Sacred Chants here.
A pricelist and/or purchasing information can be found here.

Awakened Heart
Saggio and Barbara Ruth

Native flute has never been so mysterious and haunting as when combined with the perfect pitch of singing crystal bowls. Awakened Heart is a masterpiece that lovingly ushers the listener to a meditative state of awareness. Perfectly crafted for use by healers of all modalities, this music sets the stage by carefully and uniquely caressing a space within us, heightening our awareness and sensitivity to the very subtlest of movement.

What impresses me most about this gorgeous recording is that all the flute pieces are spontaneous recordings, one-take responses to the singing bowls or soft keyboards. The recordings were all made in Sedona, Arizona and it clearly has the energetic imprint of the Native elders.

It's been two or three years since I've fallen deeply in love with the flute and I can't imagine anyone not treasuring this work as much as myself. Each of the nine pieces offers something unique in the way of spiritual healing, from rebirth and emotions, to spiritual understanding and insight. My favorite is the Peacemaker's Chant, offered as a "tranquilizer, promoting self-expression" and also Asa's Light, (named after a cherished grand daughter of Saggio and Barbara). I hope you will take a few moments and visit their website. They provide listening samples, which is always a wonderful gesture in this day and age. Namaste' and Happy 5 year anniversary PLW!

Listen to audio samples of Awakened Heart or if you wish to purchase this CD please click here.

© Avenescent, 2004

Editor's Note: After a long run, Aven has decided that next month, September, will be the final edition of the Sound On column. We hope you have enjoyed it. We would like to recreate it and bring it back in the next few months. If you have an interest in music and writing a "music review" column for PLW please contact us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Avenescent Thomas is a freelance artist, photographer, masseur, reiki master and spiritual transformationalist native to southern California. He enjoys all forms of music, having grown up playing several instruments and singing for several musical groups. He loves working with sound, people, cameras, computers, glass, natural sculpture, exploring zen, non-dualism and every fiber of nature. Prior to being a healer he was a social worker for the state of Washington. He can be contacted here and welcomes correspondence.