LESS EGO / MORE SOUL

Since I first heard these ideas two months ago, my appreciation for Water and life has expanded in a very beautiful way. This is why I have taken the time to pass on this important message, channelled through a great teacher I found here in Israel. His name is Shir and his words run deep. Here I have put together the essence of his inspiring message. Enjoy.

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It is important to understand the role of Water in our life. Science has proven that Water receives energy and holds memory. We know this, yet so often we forget the importance of this finding.

Consider this: approximately 65% of each and every one of us is made up of Water. That’s more than half of our bodily composition.  The fact that Water is so receptive and open to programming by intention offers a great opportunity for self-creation.

The Water Spirit is a traveller. It cycles through the planet, from the underground spring, to the cloudy sky, falling back down with the rain to join itself in the rivers and oceans of our planet. This cycle of reincarnation continues again and again throughout eternal time and space.

One could even say that Water is the “collective consciousness” incarnate as it travels around the globe, communing every single living being. On the first day of creation, Water arrived on earth and took on the biggest, highest responsibility to care for all of the creatures of this earth. Without Water, life would not exist.

Today there is the same amount of Water on earth as there was on the first day of creation. Science has even proven, that not a single drop has disappeared from the face of the earth since the dawn of time. Over the millennia it has just recycled throughout the complex life systems that support its journey across earth.

As we know, Water holds memory, and memory is information. As Water travels, it collects memories, gathering together a huge bank of information, documenting all of life’s history and evolution. As we drink from the same Water and allow it to pass through us, we both receive and contribute to the distribution of this information.

Being 65% Water, means we have access to all of the information in the world, within us at all times. However, most of us are not really used to listening – and I mean, really listening – enough to understand the wisdom Water is so willing to share with us. Instead we play games of guess and check, questioning our inner knowing, not believing that we can know all those things until we see some physical “proof”. Then we are suddenly surprised when we have a “new idea”, when in fact, we are just remembering – or acknowledging this information that is being shared with us, always.

Unfortunately, Water is something we tend to take for granted. We have been conditioned to expect that when we turn on a tap, Water will come. But this is merely a convenience of the modern world and we must recognise this for the luxury it is. If there is no Water in your taps tomorrow, perhaps you wouldn’t freak out immediately. Instead you would go to the supermarket and buy some bottled Water. But what if that was unavailable also? Okay, so you would find another beverage to quench your thirst. But how long could this really sustain you?

We need Water; pure Water, to grow into fully conscious human beings.

Always remember, that without Water, life cannot exist. If we stop drinking Water we get dry. When we get dry, we get weak. When we get weak, we die and like this, we return to the earth. They tell us there are places where there is “no Water” but there is not a place on earth where Water does not exist. At the very least, the spirit of the Water is in the air and when we breathe with conscious awareness of this, we drink.

If you think that we humans treat the Water with respect, then you are very much mistaken. Perhaps personally one by one, yes, but as a society, there is very little respect for the Water that sustains us so generously.

When you turn on the TV and you see moving pictures of a boat with a motor and oil driving around the Kinneret, you may realise with alarm What? We are suppose to drink this Water? (The Kinneret used to be the biggest source for drinking Water in Israel, until recent years as it has become polluted.) This is our disease as human beings – we don’t take responsibility for our own Water.

Today, as you read these words, I am calling out for your awakening. Take care of your own Water. Give intention to your Water. Love your Water. Give thanks for every drop that graces your reality. Know that when you speak to the Water, directly to the molecules, it listens. Likewise, as you drink, you open yourself to receive to the Water’s message. For as we approach Water with love and respect, we prolong the relationship. Yet if we continue to make Water feel disrespected and unwelcomed on this planet, one day it will surely leave us.

The Water asks for love and we give love through our appreciation. That is it. Imagine when you are parched and those first drops of Water touch your tongue. This is the gratitude we should feel with every sip, acknowledging that without Water, we would not be alive.

So give thanks for the Water and use Water with divine intention.

When you drink, say thank you.

When you bathe, say thank you.

When you flush the toilet, say thank you.

When you turn on the taps to run a bath, or wash the dishes or Water your plants say thank you.

When it rains, say thank you.

Realise the role Water plays in your life and give thanks, because Water is Spirit.

With the awakening of this realisation, you will begin to open and become more receptive to its knowledge and wisdom.

Bless the water.

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Just wanted to share this here for those of you who are interested in following my musical career… This was my first radio show Tomer Rozenblum on 106.2FM in Tel-Aviv. In addition to choosing the playlist, I got to play some of my own songs live with some incredibly talented musicians – Ohad Bar (vocals) and Asaf Rachimof on lead guitar. So far this is all I have online but I am looking at professionally recording a few tracks later this year. If you like what you hear, please show your support by liking my Facebook page! Enjoy!

Original Link: https://soundcloud.com/jiveny/keep-moving-with-jiveny-tel

Set List:

Thrill – Jiveny

Smoking Gun – Lady of The Sunshine

Cold…Shivering – Jiveny

Wasted – Mazzy Star

Why Do You – Ohad Bar & Asaf Rachimoff

Restless Sinner – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Jet Plane (Cover) – Captain Generous

Wolves – Jiveny

Another Blue Lady – Winter Moon

The Fragility Of Intimacy – Jiveny

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Update: A New version of my single, Cold…Shivering (The Piano Sessions) is now available on Soundcloud for download. You can also find it on YouTube here. Sharing is the currency of the internet, so if you like, please share it with your friends. 

‘I just…feel like I should have more to show by now, you know?’ said one of the girls.

This got me thinking a lot about the western view of life and our struggle to accumulate security through the accumulation of material wealth.

It seems to me, that at the end of the day, all any of us have to “show for ourselves” is what we think of ourselves.  No one really cares if you have a mercedes or a beach house in Hawaii. In fact, they are much more likely to be irritated or jealous by your wealth as it reminds them of their own (self-percived) “failure”.

The truth is, material wealth by no means indicates your value as a human being. Your value as a human being is solely influenced by what you think of yourself. So the question is, do you have an inner fan or an inner critic?

To me, the only true failure is failure to love oneself. That is, failure to see the beauty that is present in any given situation. When you derive your self-worth from your job or accumulated wealth it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you need a high-ranking job to be successful. But really, this will only help you to appear successful. Real success depends on what you feel from within.

Anthony Robbins teaches us how important it is to understand our emotional values in life. Based on our emotional values and goals, we tend to create a set of  beliefs (or rules) and measure our own success or failure by our ability to meet these emotional values and feel pleasure. Beliefs often come in the form of ”if-then rules”.

For example, “if enough people know who I am, then I am successful.” or “If I earn $xxx,xxx then I will be successful.” Whatever.

On balance, there are also rules that influence our ability to deliver on our values. These are the limiting beliefs that hold us back from taking the risk of following our dreams. A common example of this is the belief, “if I feel successful then I will lose my motivation”. The real truth is, when you get too comfortable, then you are likely to lose your motivation. Paradoxically, “too comfortable” is often the mindset we get into when we continuously hold ourselves back from following our dream; when we fall deep into the security of a predictable reality.

Unfortunately, many of us have not written our own beliefs or “life-rules”. Instead they have been impressed upon our minds from the very early years of our lives. This is why it is so important to discover and define what beliefs you have collected over the years and decide for yourself if they are serving your best interests.

This is your chance to write your own life rules because life was never meant to be difficult. If you want success, it is up to you to set yourself up so that you can win this game of life.

So ,based on my values, here are my rules for life:

If I see beauty, then I feel joy.

If I am learning, then I know I am growing.

If I eat consciously (it doesn’t matter what) and enjoy my food, then I eat well.

If I move my body then I am healthy.

If I am alive, I know that I am loved.

And this one I stole form Robbins: If I learn something new, then I am successful.

Because, there is no such thing as failure.

You can read Part One here.

Today I find myself back in Cusco, sitting in the sun talking of loneliness with a timeless friend. If there is one thing I have discovered about myself through travel, is that I am not the lone wolf I once believed myself to be. Yes I love my independence and would never seek to have a relationship based upon dependency, however taking a very literal leaf out of a good friends book, I’ve found great value in following the trail of loveliness, walking the road with only the most beautiful people that grace my reality. I flow with those who make me feel good and feel blessed to find kin so easily. Community is key for me these days and I am delighted to watch it develop around me wherever I go. There is only love here, and so much love, at that.

Where in the past I  have valued solitude, these days I am all too aware that it is not the places I visit, but rather, the company I keep, that brings satisfaction in my life.

I am also learning to give and give and give and give, for as I give, I create space for me to receive more and more and more and it is the transience of these gifts that grace my reality which really excites me. And people are such divine gifts, for we can only go so far within ourselves, by ourselves. I believe it is the contrast of an alternative reference point that really allows one to grow. I see my connections manifesting perfectly as I become the medicine for those around me just as they become the medicine for my own personal development. Sometimes this comes in the form of a challenge – an invitation to transcend old programming as our interactions highlight egoic attachments that it is time for me to let go of . Other times, this human medicine is in the comfort of another’s arms and as they lend their ears and mind.

As I wonder through this hall of mirrors, I also become a gift to others through our interactions, naturally providing what is needed for them to grow. In turn, I have met shiny, shiny beings who live up to Marianne William’s manifesto. They remind me to be myself without fear as everywhere is a safe place to express myself. The implicit message is, a universal truth… if you are okay with every aspect of you, then the rest of the world will be too.

They say the jungle is not feared by the saint; that pure thoughts keep one safe from harm. If this is true, it must be the same in these cities which sometimes feel colder than they really are. I am learning to accept that I don’t have a dirty mind, that my intentions are always pure and how blessed are the amoral. Everything I do is okay. Adulthood is a myth. My choices are right and there is no need to doubt myself or suppress my desires and dreams as everything I could need or want is here for me. All I have to do is trust and it is given.

Sitting in the sun, we went on to discuss loneliness as a state of being vs. an emotion. One thing I have been really learning to do is letting emotions flow through me like food and water. I believe sadness and loneliness to be fleeting emotions, rather than lasting states of consciousness. That is, unless I allow my ego to engage in their illusions. Its become a yogic practice for me to consciously not attach to such emotions, knowing how the Ego loves to personalize emotions and create attachments through stories. I want to stress that this doesn’t mean suppressing emotions like sadness and loneliness. Rather its about giving myself the space to feel these things, without justifying them with a story.

Looking back, I can see patterns in my past where I actually believed that holding on to pain and sadness was worthwhile. Like it gave me a place in a twisted world focused on pleasure, pain, loss and gain. I wore my pain like a badge of honour, as if I had “earned my stripes” to be here. As if I needed this pain and sadness to fit into a world of lost souls. These days I choose to see things differently. I notice how more often than not my mood is affected by my environment. It’s not so personal. When I  am aware of the stories my mind likes to create to make my emotional state relevant to reality, I can detatch from the emotions that I do not enjoy and allow them to fall away like water off a ducks back.

Saying that, I can also recognize the beauty of contrasting emotions and the important role they play in allowing me to appreciate the good times, which is why I am prepared to feel them fully from time to time. Lying on my back, my eyes to the sky, I can let everything be as it is, with gratitude as I recognize that I am still alive and breathing. It is moments like this that I am able to tap into amazing states of interconnectedness, where I feel that no matter what becomes of this physical body, I will never dissapear.

Sometimes I wonder how sustainable this lifestyle is and how I can make it easier and more wonderful for myself. I have my doubts from time to time but it is these profoundly familiar moments I share with once-upon-a-time strangers that reminds me that this is what I want. A life of moments like this, where I feel at home with new friends, as if we have always been together, we are meant to be together, and the spontaneity of our interactions were always preordained.

So I am in South America, trying my best to get a grasp on the Spanish language and a little girl starts talking to me. After using up my limited stash of words with a little small talk, I ask my friend “How do I say I don’t know in Spanish?”

“Why do you want to say that?”

“In response to her…I don’t know what she’s saying…” I justify.

“You can say I don’t understand, but to say you don’t know isn’t actually true…”

“What do you mean?” I pushed.

“People love to say I’m sorry and I don’t know… they use these words as a crutch,” he pointed out to me. “It’s extremely devaluing of yourself because even though you may not mean it, every word you speak has power.”

This got me thinking a bit more about language and suddenly I am all too aware of the words that slip out of my mouth which essentially disrespect my self.

Curious, I decided to explore further some of the common phrases English speaking cultures use, which essentially limit us from recognizing ourselves as amazingly capable creatures.

After all, language is not only an expression of our inner world, but it also acts as our primary filter of our experiences. It shapes our thought processes and is an essential tool in understanding how a culture, or individual, interprets and relates to what we call “reality”. Fundamentally, the spells we weave with our words have a profound relationship to personal empowerment.

Perhaps the most common phrase I tend to misuse is “I’m sorry.”

But, am I? Really? Why?

Sorry is a very powerful word that has been engrained in my subconscious mind since childhood indicating that I have “done wrong” and sincerely regret. Knowing the subtle power of the subconscious mind I’ve come to realize that in saying “I’m sorry” without reason, I am polluting my internal space with the idea that I am “not good”.

Yet, these words escape my mouth too often over trivial matters. Like, when I accidently brush shoulders with a stranger. I’ve since decided that I really want to say in such cases is, thank you or Aloha – a cheerful hello to my fellow life-walker (and no, I don’t care if they think that I’m strange).

Another example is when I find myself beginning an email with Sorry about the delayed response… The question is, why? Am I just saying it to sound good? Who am I trying to please? It’s important to recognize that in doing this, I program myself to feel even guiltier whenever I do not respond to emails immediately… After all, the internet is great, but I have a life offline too!

In other cases, for instance, when I get caught deliberately breaking a rule that I genuinely have no respect for (e.g. lying in the grass in a park, despite the “prohibito” picket to my right… but sir, the grass was practically screaming to be loved…).

Here, I feel that excuse me, pardon me or forgive me is a far more accurate expression of my being. By using these phrases with intention, I can acknowledge the fact that I am doing nothing wrong so long as my actions are in accordance with my own morals. While I know this now, I notice that sometimes I still suffer often from the sense that an apology is in order.

This need to apologise, when no real harm has occurred seems to me to be a conditioned cultural illusion that encourages us to seek confirmation of our choices. Alternatively, by saying “excuse me” I am able to extend an invitation to the offended, so that in “forgiving me” they may share a more functional relationship with me.

Of course, sometimes a real apology is in order, which is why I want to keep “sorry” sacred and honest. I particularly adore the Spanish way of apologizing with the phrase lo siento (which translates to “I feel it”). I love this because it encapsulates a richer awareness of our collective interconnectedness – recognizing that when real harm is done, the wound is felt by all involved.

What is it that holds us back from claiming our own personal power; from being the best version of ourselves we possibly could be?

If you are anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself tugging at the skirt of your ultimate-self-vision with frustration every once in a while. Habits seem too stubborn; addictions too intoxicating. Match that with some underlying beliefs of unworthiness, and you’ll be forever tugging at that skirt.

But lets examine the situation a little more closely; as while the transformation into the highest expression of our self, might seem daunting, we all live with the hope that it is possible. And it is possible. You’ve seen yourself change for the better before; you’ve seen others change for the better before. Change is always possible, so the question remains: what holds us back?

A large part of the human story is this idea that “humanity is flawed”. That humans are incompetent in handling power. That we are not worthy, nor good enough to deal with the responsibilities that power entails.

This message has been perpetuated throughout our culture for thousands of years, through centuries of mythology. You needn’t look hard for examples – Adam and Eve’s original sin – Man’s “fall from grace” is perhaps the most prominent evidence of this brainwashing in action. This has led to a deeply embedded sub-conscious fear of power – reinforced by an insecurity of unworthiness.

Yet, we continue to seek our power; in fact we crave it because it is our birthright. Were you not born to rein over your own body, inspiring it to express your highest vision of self?

In light of this, it seems that whenever we get close to the edge of our own personal power, it scares the shit out of us, and so we run, putting as much space between it and ourselves as possible.

The mere idea that we could change instantaneously puts us up there with “the gods” and though our western culture might appear to contradict this theory as our governments struggles to own this god-like power, we perceive the responsibilities of “gods” as far too much for ourselves to handle. “Humanity is flawed after all,” whispers mother culture, and so, we fall back into old habits, sub-consciously self-sabotaging our dreams, trying less than our best in order to fit in and save face.

The truth is, we are powerful expressions of the divine. After all, were we not made in the image of the divine creator? All it takes to be who we want to be is a change of mind. Yet, this personal power is scary, because with the capacity to change our minds at will, we become unstoppable as we move through the flow of life, learning and transforming ourselves for the better.

Unfortunately, because we don’t trust ourselves with power (and we certainly don’t trust others of our kind with it) our subconscious will do anything to keep us from changing quickly and sustainably. And so the cycle begins, where we bring ourselves down to the level of those around us – for fear of becoming a prosecuted scapegoat (like Jesus). We also pull others around us down with our lack of confidence in their ability to handle power responsibly.

Considering how many times I have been disappointed by examples of humans who have used power irresponsibly, I will admit that this isn’t a completely unwarranted fear. However, it is important to distinguish that these painful cases are ALWAYS instances where humans have attempted to claim power over others. This is the power of domination that dominates our culture as leaders attempt to enforce their vision and their unique perspective onto others.

This never works, of course, as the point of being human is to experience a unique perspective and to make choices related to one’s own individual paradigm. There is no such thing as an answer that is fitting for all, which is why it is so important that we learn to govern ourselves with confidence and dedication in using our bodies to express ourselves authentically. After all, do you not trust yourself to be the captain of your own soul?

So let me be clear, when I talk about “claiming your own personal power”, I’m actually talking about embracing domination’s better looking sister – the power of dominion (power with others).

While the power of domination thrives on the concept of limitation; that “the more I have, the less you get”, the power of dominion, celebrates the power we have when we step up to the challenge of expressing ourselves in all our glory. This is the power that allows us to inspire one another to live a life of liberated authenticity. This is the power that allows you to not only touch your dreams, but experience them in reality. This is the power that generates sustainable success.

So I’m practicing embracing it without fear; to make the choice to change my mind and kick the habits that keep me from expressing who I really am.

And so I remind myself to stop trying - instead, to choose something and be it.

I have a new yogic practice…

It involves maintaining open, symmetrical body language throughout my daily movements.

As I sit, stand, walk and move my aim is to have the left and the right sides of my body mirroring each other, without crossing the central axis of my spine. This is the way a young child or an animal will often express themselves when they are relaxed and at peace.

Being conscious about my posture in this way allows my energy to flow freely. It also symbolizes my openness to life, experiences and others. This is a powerful practice because it is through our own symbolic actions that our sub-concious communicates.

Interestingly, my ego is not so fond of this really simple practice. I think it finds it confronting to be so open – to allow myself to appear vulnerable. This requires more of a conscious effort on my part – reminding myself that there is nothing “out there” to fear.

I know from my yoga practice how common it is in our modern lifestyle to maintain a hunched, closed posture as we attempt to shield our vulnerabilities from the outside world. In many subtle ways, I find this reinforces our separation conditioning of fear as we “protect” ourselves from what we no longer consider a part of “us”.

This is why I am making a conscious effort to use this practice as a way to soften my ego. After all, it is by making ourselves vulnerable that we eventually become invulnerable.

“I am the Lizard King, I can do anything!”  - Jim Morrison

Religious myths, such as those studied in the “holy” books of the world’s cultures, are at the end of the day, just stories of other’s experiences with source. Stories, that have been passed on like chinese whispers throughout time immemorial.

Consider how words and culture (the stories we are collectively told and often which become the stories which we tell ourselves) prevent us from being present and experiencing our own interaction with life, source and reality.

Just as a dream only has a message for the dreamer, all stories are so drenched in symbolism that it’s true meaning can only be interpreted by the writer.

This isn’t to say that such stories can’t serve to inspire and serve in our own relationship with life. We are a storytelling race after all, and the stories we weave and share are wonderful. However, I would regret allowing a story to blind me from the magic of my own experiences.

On the Illuminati, “reptiles” and other conspiracy theories:

Understand that they are always looking for players. Anyone can tell a good story, but the question is, can they kick the ball at the end of the day?

Theirs might be an interesting story – it might even be a true story, but it is also an ancient and old story and the more we re-tell it, the more it binds us to such a reality – driven by fear and a hunger for power.

A story only holds true if you believe in it.

It’s your choice to engage in such myths or write a new one.

I say, personify and de-personify everything. For it is these boundaries of alienation that lead us to suffering as they limit us from accepting things as they are and fully understanding the interconnectedness that surrounds us.

For example: Forgiveness is a tool of the ego, allowing us to pacify our own self-entitlement. While societal conditioning might have us believe that it is an act of grace that we bestow upon others so generously, the truth is, our ability to forgive does not make us a “better” person. It makes us a more “functional” person as it cradles our wounded ego in the face of “offensive behaviour”.

If you kick your toe into a wall, do you feel the need to forgive the wall for the pain it has caused you?

If a wild animal eats some food you’ve left out in the open, do you feel the need to forgive the animal?

Some might feel this way, but most do not. Yet we tend to hold this expectation that another human’s transgressions against one’s own view of morality MUST be forgiven or else we cannot move on.

For this reason, I try not to see the world through the limited lens of “right” and “wrong”, “good” and “bad”.

In my worldview, we are all just wounded animals trying our best to get along and move on from the scars of our past. No one does anything that contradicts his or her own perception of what is right and good. However, all of us are programmed by past wounds to act as we do in order to avoid future suffering of the same kind.

Understand that fear, in one form or another inspires 100% of humanity’s “wrongdoings”.

A lot of people tend to view the world through the narrow filters of “right” and “wrong”.

I just see a bunch of wounded animals trying their best to heal themselves and get along.

Is the world of a predatory or benevolent nature?

Are we right to fear the unknown?

We certainly see nature display a predatory theme as death claims life with reckless abandon.

However, this is not the opposite to benevolence. For nature knows the importance of harmony and balance far better than we do, offering ecstasy in each little death.

Silently, she encourages us to take what we need and leave the rest alone, for it is out of need (not greed) that we may take without consequence.

But driven by greed, our society has been conditioned to take more than we need.

And so we find ourselves addicted to consumption; to having and devouring as much as we can in our lifetime.

This is our reaction in an effort to reclaim ourselves; to fill the gaping hole that has wounded our soul as we consume ourselves,

bite by bite,

   moment by moment,

  slowly from the inside out.