JOURNEY FROM WITHIN

JOURNEY FROM WITHIN

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/journey-from-within/9780992493936-item.html

This is exiting news and an absolute must share.

My eBook/ePub is now available on the above link and other platforms. It is a potpourri of spiritual essays, prose and one short story - all in one. Many of the prose is accompanied by a photograph which relates, or not, to the words.

My journey is ongoing and relates to exploring the many consciousness levels of the mind and the soul with the intention to reach constant mindfulness within every moment.

Some of the writing may be abstract and challenging but I believe that the reader will find the essence.

I hope and believe that every reader will find value - if not immediately - then in due time.

Be good.

READING FOR THE SOUL

Here are just a couple of short impressions on books which I have read over the last two months.

The Essential Gnostic Gospels inclusive of the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary – Alan Jacobs

For early Christianity salvation was gained through self-knowledge but the Orthodox Church has labelled this as heresy. Alan has brought forward again some of the most important renditions with simplicity. Gnosticism was about experiencing God directly within oneself. The Nag Hammadi papyrus rolls were discovered in 1945 and this brought much of the early knowledge and original interpretations back – the latter often quite different from that presented by the New Testament.
Wisdom is gained by studying more than just one interpretation of a particular subject matter and in terms of the Bible is wise to refer back to the above, the Nag Hammadi, the Dead Sea scroll and original Hebrew texts. It is often quite enlightening to experience first-hand how the today’s text has been altered from the original. No wonder then that we have this plethora of different religious interpretations which, in my opinion, does nothing more than to illustrate a perfect example of the “divide and conquer” principal.
This is truly inspiring read.

The Path by Maharaj Singh

The author is an enlightened master which presents the reader with a glimpse of the transcendental realms within oneself. Each of us has to follow our own path – part of this, is not to follow the herd – part of this is that not a single one of us can in fact advise someone else as to what is truly their purpose etc etc. All paths are correct. This is absolutely not something what the world out there will agree with, but so be it. All our efforts must be directed towards subjugating the mind and withdrawing to the Source (God). He writes about fear and control of the mind which really, in more sense than one is uncontrollable. The more one wants to control it, the more uncontrollable it becomes. The mind and the soul is two different things and has become subservient to the mind which is caught up between the ego and the illusion of this world.
I think this saying by Swami Ji says it all: “By thy self, realise the Self – be not led away by what others may say”

The Path of the Masters – Julian Johnson – M.A., B.D., M.D.

This book is about the Audible Life Stream. It offers a fascinating journey into the philosophy and practical benefits of being taught and guided by a living master. Living Master is an interesting suggesting and I found synergy with this in that some year ago I was reading – and with great intention and attention, the writings of the Essenes. In their Gospel of Peace, it is suggested that “the written word is dead” and that we should take our lesson from nature because she is alive.
Julian, a medical doctor, pastor, scientist and much more made a serious study of the many different paths, religions and writings by many, now deceased masters. He discusses the good in a whole host of popular religions – he refers to many ancient writings and philosophical schools of thought – he advise as to how to recognise a genuine master – the difficulty in finding one and their function.
He discusses God and the grand hierarchy of the Universe – the various perversions of the mind – reincarnation, Karma, the existence of higher worlds (something which is denied by most religions simply because they follow a deceased master), the principals of man being a microcosm of the macrocosm, a Christ attitude and the dreaded results of us humans not being able to kill “the desire” for things.
He refers to the many rituals (almost all completely useless) within religion and other schools of thought – most of them operating without a living master and following only the umpteenth interpretation of other interpretations of the various scared writings – the implicit and fanatical following of deceased masters and the chaos this is causing in the world. He refers to meditation, even that practised by a number of prominent Christians of ancient times and even today.
He refers to the partial good in all of these – negated of course by the fact that there is no living master in all of these practices. Thus preventing the student to connect with and access all knowledge and the real truth about the truth – and, so much more capacity to live life to the fullest and true to your purpose.
Our infinite capacity – something which I have always innately believed in, read about, investigated, explored through various meditation and breathing techniques – is infinite but we have lost our ability to access this worlds of wonder and wisdom.
I will continue to investigate and explore because I agree that there is still much that we know nothing about and as a result we cannot conclude and accept that which we are being spoon fed by media, government, religion. I will decide for myself. The answers are inside. The external will and do provide us with leads and stimulation, but if we don't go inside - we go without the truth. Call me whatever you want – believe in whatever and whoever you want – that is perfect – I respect that.
One other element of this book which I found fascinating is that although the author refers to many ancient masters – the Veda’s – Indian philosophies and more – he substantiate and quote verses from the Bible – he refers to the disciples and their incomplete training.
You might say - well, this is just another interpretation of interpretations supported by much and true practical experiences. The long and the short is this though – if you are an avid reader or student of this subject matter and these philosophies and, you have some practical experience – at some point you gain the ability to separate yourself from the deception that is so rife in this world with its divide and conquer religions, policies and governments.
Mental and academic superiority, refined tastes in ethics and aesthetics does not produce civilisation and civil behaviour – LOVE and love alone makes civilisation because it is the essence of pure spirit.
This is not an easy read, in fact none of these books are – but it certainly is inspiring and most enlightening.                    

Mount Sheba Lodge - where the silence responds to silence ..

Life and wisdom are the collective results of authentic experiences rather than the collection of things. And, more often than not, bucket lists reflect those many wanted experiences. It may be that your wanted experiences include adventure activities, or perhaps just reading a good book next to a crackling fireplace with a glass of red wine - a walking meditation in a rain forest - the rush of panning for gold or perhaps you'd like to be transported into the intoxicating history of the environment.

This is Daniel Sibiya. Daniel is an old hand at panning for gold and has participated in the World Championship in America but has, alas "not won anything as yet."

The 1st gold rush took place in 1873 when gold was discovered on Geelhoutboom farm near Sabie and was referred to as New Caledonian Gold Fields by President Burgers. Alec "Wheelbarrow" Patterson was one of the first diggers top arrive here - pushing a wheelbarrow with all his belongings around. He struck it rich near Pilgrims Rest. Although quiet by nature and not sharing his findings, another digger , William Trafford also found gold in the same stream, registered his claim and this triggered the biggest gold rush of the time. The result - Pilgrims Rest was proclaimed a gold field. 

Life was tough and many diggers died because of illness. At one time some 1500 diggers were working on about 4000 claims. Initially, they found what is called alluvial gold - gold dust recovered from washing gravel from the banks of streams but they did find nuggets as well. The biggest one at the time was called the "Breda" nugget which weighed in at about 6kg. 

In its heyday, these mines were the first to use electricity and Pilgrim's also had the first hydro-electric power plant.

It is said that the famous "Jock of the Bushveld" slept on the site of the Mount Sheba with his master Sir Percy Fitzpatrick. The rain forest which is part of the Mount Sheba Reserve with its natural hiking trails is home to trees that are more than 1500 years old. Now can you imagine walking among these giants while listening to the calls of the Nightjar, the Knysna Loerie and more?    

If the kids absolutely have to be indoors - there is this playroom - and yes, there are play stations also.

The recent revamping of the three-star Mount Sheba, a Forever Lodge, near Pilgrim’s Rest did not remove any of its authentic old-world charm and warmth. Whether you stay indoors when the fog hugs the outside world or go for a walk in the rain forest - the place offers an enchanting warm welcoming supported by service levels way beyond the star rating. This is a place where the "what is your room number?" question does not exist because the staff knows your number. Where "what did you think of the desert?" is an authentic non-commercial inquiry to wow at every occasion and with every dish.

The Lodge was built in 1968. A slow drive down from the highway and through part of the rain forest to the lodge uses part of the old wagon trail which formed the alternative route from Lydenburg to Pilgrim's Rest. The Lodge offers 14 King Suites and ten exceptionally spacious family rooms each featuring its own fireplace.

Mount Sheba also offers two conference rooms. For a truly magical wedding inside a rain forest (and now I do have your attention), there is a suitable and prepared spot just 200 meters from the Lodge. Mount Sheba's other secret is its authentic cooking and please do the Digger's evening - Ryk en lekker soos moedersmelk!

Whether you visit the "Grand Old Lady" as a couple, family or group, activities have been designed to involve everybody outdoors in nature. The Mount Sheba Nature Reserve offers wonderful views, excellent fauna and flora and bird-watching for those so inclined and is also home to the endangered Samango Monkey. Mount Sheba offers no less than 11 walks ranging from one to 10 kilometres and these will take you to a number of waterfalls.

We did not, on this trip explored any of the hikes. We have however booked for the last weekend in August during which we will definitely explore (at least) the Waterfall route and I will add some comments about it then.

And, there is more. Visit their website and book your stay, conference or wedding. I have a feeling that rush-hour is about to arrive at Mount Sheba – a lodge where 3 is higher than 5…

And when the fog sets in - magic whispers are abound for those willing to listen.