Is-Ness Book Release

 After more than a decade of work, I've released my first book, Is-Ness, Science, Consciousness, Spirit under my writer name Michael Koyoti.

This book explores many of the subjects covered in this blog over the past decade. I expect to release "Chronicles of Monkey Man" as a fiction follow on to this book over the next year.

Please visit my author's website for book updates, blog and future podcasts.

The book can be purchased in print and e-book formats on Amazon. 

Michael

The Journey Continues

So we begin again because the Journey never ends...

  

I've remained silent for several dark years. My children have been unleashed into the world, both amazing human beings, perhaps because of me , perhaps in spite of me, perhaps some of both. Amazing just the same. This new freedom has transformed the landscape on this Journey.

As with any Spirit Journey, I continue to face my inner and external demons as a warrior. I have confronted my predatory tendencies towards others with humility.  I have slammed into to the reaches of many dead ends, confirming that I must abandon my old concept of who I am and what my purpose is in this world. It has turned me inside out and burned away any remnants of my past self. All that is left is the Journey and I am the nomadic journeyer. The choices on this Infinite Journey have narrowed.

In retrospect, I have witnessed the lives of many who have reached a pinnacle of notoriety for their spiritual leadership and reputation fall precipitously. Examples range from self proclaimed Spiritual Masters to Western Yogis. Once they reach a pinnacle, it is only a matter of time before they to crash and burn. Their downfall comes in many forms. Some, consumed by ego, loose their followers only to be replaced by the next pop-culture guru to arrive on the scene. I've seen degrading health result in miserable and early deaths. I've observed organizations dissolve from sheer egoism, some rebranded in desperate attempts to remain viable as their influence diminishes.

My long silence has not meant that my Journey was suspended. Quite to the contrary. Since my last post, I entered a very narrow and demanding stretch on the Infinite Journey. I witnessed my youngest son face death for the second time in his 19 years of existence - paralyzed and unable to speak. His sheer will force brought him back to health. My oldest son, who was forced into special education class in middle school, now a PHD  candidate in Mathematics. 

I watched helplessly as last of my wealth withered into oblivion. I gave up all but the most essential possessions, and embarked on a new leg of my Infinite Journey. Not without denial and futile efforts to regain what reputation I had lost.

I remain grateful.  Grateful that I kept my heart as the center guide on this Journey. The mind is too deceiving to be trusted. I too could have held on longer to achieve new heights as a spiritual guide or startup executive, only to crash and burn as I have seen happen to so many others - far too many to list here.

Gratitude! My thoughts continually return to Monkey Man's first post on this Skaijourney Blog. Rushing to the tree top at dawn to marvel at the sunrise. Not because of its beauty, but because of its stark reminder at how fragile and precious life is:

"As the horizon begins to brighten, I sit. Like a child, seeing the sun rise from the darkness for the very first time, I await - To relish this event in awe and astonishment. 

I am but a small Monkey in the Spirit Forest. I live on an insignificant rock - chasing a fiery ball of gas as it is hurled through the vast and seemingly infinite vacuum of space."

I now walk this path seeking every reminder of the improbability of my existence. The fact that we exist is miracle enough to inspire us through even the darkest days on the Infinite Journey.

I am pleased to say, that Journey continues, and I continue on it with gratitude! 

Shadow Compass

I embrace my shadow. It's very presence is cast when I stand in the light. It conceals itself only when I stray into darkness. It is the compass on my spirit journey. It offers wisdom, teaching me to face fear, mortality and death. Shadow is to light, like death is to life - neither can exist without the other.

Creation exists in the balance of opposites. Divine love shines equally upon scorpions and swans. My shadow's presence teaches me to love all of Creation unconditionally. My shadow is my guide and compass.

21 Breaths

I breathe seven breaths, inhaling the essence of Grandmother Earth. It fills my heart and mingles with my essence. I exhale the our combined essence back to Grandmother Earth.

I breathe seven more. I inhale the essence of my heart centre and extend it through my body towards the Heavens. It mingles with the essence of Grandfather Sky. As I exhale, our combined essence descends and fills my heart centre.

Seven more breaths. I inhale Earth up through my heart and extend to Sky. I exhale from Sky through my heart to Earth. My consciousness is unique in the Universe. I am part of the flow - A child of Earth and Heaven.

I extend my hands out to my sides, feeling my heart beat pulsing through my fingers. I reach out to my Ancestors and Descendants. I am a continuum of wisdom, connecting the wisdom of the past into the future.

With gratitude, I AM!

Cry Of Humanity

Hearing cries of humans, I have traveled out of the Spirit Forest to discover its source. I wandered dusty, barren roads, destroyed bridges - Created, destroyed and abandoned by men. I took refuge on roof tops in villages and cities. From the sparse city treetops, I observed humans rain down hurt with fire and metal from the skies. The voices of death and condemnation are heard from leaders of humanity- Leaders of countries, leaders of religions. Self proclaimed spirit leaders spread fear only to grasp power and submission from the masses. Religions declare war in the name of their manifestation of God. Men steal land, claiming its wealth and enslaving its inhabitants - all in the name of god, country, righteousness. This treachery makes its way to the Spirit Forest. Its creatures tremble at the advance. I come as their emissary, compelled to find the source and reason with its nature.

From the Spirit Forest comes nourishment for all creatures, humans alike. Why has Creation has not condemned such a destructive race? - So easily done, Life on our planet - So fragile. Our magnificent Sun need only to stir slightly in our planet's direction. The heavens need only rain tears of ice and fire. The belly of the earth need only purge smoke and burning rock into a darkening sky. So many swords pointed at humanity! Yet it proceeds on a path of its own self destruction, yet is spared destruction.

With monkey curiosity, I explore a public square. A child plays there. Her laugh is magic. She smiles like the rays of sun. Her pale eyes glitter like stars. She hands me an offering of fruit as I dance in the light of her presence. Without a touch, I feel her affection, her innocence, her love. She is surrounded by treachery, suspicion and hate - Yet, she pours love to a small monkey in the market, unnoticed by adult humans. I bow to her. She bows to me.

Creation has led me to the the source of Humanity's light. It has revealed the spark that withholds destruction. I return to my treetop home, retracing the path of destruction and death. I find my familiar treetop perch, where the leaves rustle in the cool evening breeze. I have seen the wisdom of Creation in the eyes of a child and await its unfolding.

Spirit Forest Invaders

Humans have invaded the Spirit Forest. They come masquerading as anointed ones. They bring throngs of mindless disciples in their wake. How they can witness this magical place, yet yearn for something else, is an inexplicable mystery – But, to defile its perfect balance, destroy its magical creatures and tear down ancient trees that knew our ancestors, this has brought about such tremendous disturbance. It draws the attention of Mother Spirit.

They've pumped lifeblood from Mother earth, burning it in machines. Mother's burning blood billows from an open wound in the canopy and settles as dark clouds in the lowlands. Enchanted creatures silently endure the stench and sounds of ignorant Humans. In the distance, empty songs are heard praising this destruction, in the name of Creator.

Dusk light shines through the the thick smoke of our Mother's burning blood. Gray dust settles on the forest leaves. A human made spire rises above the forest canopy, reaching out like a selfish child to steal candy from heaven.

In the darkened forest, light glows in the distance where the Humans have settled. Sounds of foolish laughter and humming motors echo. The Spirit Forest's magical creatures sleep with one eye open - Maintaining their distance so as to remain invisible.

The Invaders are too noisy to hear the chorus of singing butterflies or the songs of young peacocks in the wind. Hey will likely never witness the majesty of the giant night moth, as it sails through the dark forest, weaving between glowing mushrooms, settling on each night flower it passes. They suffer and die from diseases whose cure has been driven into hiding. They cling to their limited knowledge with scientific arrogance.

Yet.... The Spirit Forest thrives. It pours forth unconditional love upon these invaders like a mother loves her wayward child. The Forest's power overwhelms their actions. The Great Spirits of the Forest could descend upon them like angry dragons, destroying all they have created in a flash, But Mother Spirit nourishes and embraces all life that enters.

As misguided masses await fulfillment from empty promises, their leaders huddle to gloat over their achievements. The Spirit Forest remains patient for their awakening. Balance resumes as the forest adjusts to the disruption. May these guests some day fathom the forces that were brought forth  to accommodate their destructive presence. 

Monkey Man

Spirit Secrets Continued: Spirit Elements

The attempt below to describe the Soul, Spirit and their manifestation in Reality is Theory. Its based on observations, visions, and teachings from guides that I have met along the way. This is my “Theory to date”. It is evolved out of teaching from Shaman, Yogic, Gnostic Christian, and Sufi traditions that I have been exposed to. For a Theory to be practical, it must be subjected to testing and experimentation. I publish this in order for others to test it against their direct experience.

Spirit Elements

At the core of our being is Singularity or Soul. It is pure existence. It is consciousness without thought, without judgment. Our spiritual, mental and physical manifestations take form like the celestial clouds of matter and electromagnetic forces swirling around the center of a galaxy. Our Soul- Singularity exists in a unique position in Time and Space. No two Singularities can exist from the same perspective. Yet, all Singularities interconnect to the same, One Singularity where all Creation originates.

Our existence in Creation manifests as Spirit/Thought/Physicality with Soul at its center. We assume unique characteristics from multitudes of possible elemental combinations derived from the four Elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water). These Elements have powerful symbolic significance with respect to Spirit, Mind and Body. In the physical realm, they correlate to the states of matter; Solid, Liquid, Gas and Plasma.

As in the world of chemistry, each of the Four Elements can assume innumerable characteristics within themselves on all three planes (Spirit,Mind,Physical), making endless possible combinations and elemental reactions. This is attributable to the diversity and uniqueness of each of us on each of our planes of existence.

As Thinking, Living, Spirit Beings, our relationship with Creation is series of interactions with other Spirit/Mind/Physical entities. These interactions can be complementary, neutral or harmful to us. We continue to exist as long as sufficient boundaries are established to insure that any harmful interactions do not destroy us.

Since ancient times, Shamanic traditions have described the Medicine Wheel as a symbol of an individual or tribal existence. Ceremonies establish the Wheel's existence and its orientation with all directions. Then the Individual or Tribe invites in elements and spirit guides that offer guidance, strength and sustenance.

This tradition exists in literally every culture around the world. It is a powerful symbol of our “Inner Circle “ of our existence. It proclaims a protective boundary from external elemental “Spirits”. External spirits and elements that are “invited” in, are carefully selected to nourish, protect and guide us on our individual and collective Journey.

On the physical plane, our body's skin acts as the boundary of our physical self. Our blood flows to nourish the cells contained therein and provide defenses against foreign diseases. Yet, to survive, we breathe air and take in food to nourish and sustain ourselves.

This is true on the Mental and Spiritual planes as well. It is true with every relationship within the Manifest world on every plane of existence. We cannot exist in a vacuum. We must interact with Creation to survive and thrive. However, without clear boundaries and clear discrimination with regards to WHAT we interact with, negative or destructive relationships occur that can weaken or destroy us.

Our Spiritual Journey IS a Relationship with Creator. On this Journey we have reactions and interactions with external Elemental Entities within Creation. These reactions occur on the Physical, Thought and Spirit planes. As we become more intentional about our Journey, we become conscious of the resulting dangers and rewards from our interactions. We learn to take more risks to expose ourselves to more interactions. As a result we either benefit or suffer.

In spite of the fact that Humanity has the propensity to eat food that is poison, pollute the air and water with elements that do not sustain life, and embrace Political, Religious and Spiritual teachings devised to invade our Spirit Boundaries making us weak and subservient to their hierarchies - We manage to survive.

Creation protects life in spite of these destructive intentions. The power that existed at the moment of Creation and exploded from the first Singularity, established a powerful and miraculous LifeForce. This LifeForce reverberates in everything. It reverberates in every particle, in every heart beat, in every breath It is the source of every thought and feeling. It's power is the reason that we continue to exist, in spite of the odds. Our very Existence, is our birthright, given by Creator at the moment of Creation, to Thrive and embrace our Journey!

While we've created so many distractions that would seem to drain our LifeForce and cause our ultimate destruction, True Spirituality, in the purest and most ancient sense, has always existed in plain sight.

True Spirituality reinforces rather than destroys Spirit Boundaries.

True Spirituality IS our direct relationship with Creation and its multitude of entities and elements.

True Spirituality places the Infinite Journey at our feet to embark upon at every instance of time.

While this is a Personal Journey, it is also a Collective Journey, where all that is manifest in Creation reacts and interacts physically, mentally and spiritually. All share a common connection to the Singularity which began as One, and, at the instant of Creation, replicated countless copies of itself across all Universes. Each Singularity experiences Creation from its unique perspective. Each performs in a precarious and miraculous Dance of Life, where elements collide, combine, react, create and destroy. It is the Dance of Is-Ness. It is a Dance where each, in its own unique way, dances as One!