This is the 'LINK' Center.

Empathic Expressions: Japan, (P)(C)1997 A. Alexander Volenski

Japan-2

I think that as one gains in spiritual awareness, they're also tested, I think the
subconscious identity within the human, their psyche, tests the human...not in the
sense of a test...probably the word 'test' is not good...probably it's more of an
'exercise,' to see how much strength has been accomplished.  As one rises in 
spiritual awareness and perception...they gather in a strength within them, it's a
kind of strength that's not brute force or physically applied so much as it is a
strength of will...of will and compassion, of will and wisdom and knowledge,
combined with understanding.  These thing are...gradually they come together...they
come together in a spiritual sense, and they have to be secured within the
individual and recognized at the same time.

...The myths of the Sacred Weaving Hall is a very unique thing also, which ties in
with this higher spiritual level.  The notion (is) that in this Weaving Hall,
through the ceremonies they are weaving the fabric of the Still Incomplete
Universe.  I think that what the Incomplete Universe represents (is) the fact of
planet Earth, and the races on the Earth...still not reaching the spiritual levels
necessary, and that's why it's 'still incomplete'; and that's why there's (the)
chaotic...and war...and that those things have to be overcome.  And that the Sacred
Weaving Hall is a place to try and overcome those things.

That the Japanese mythology, they're working towards trying to strengthen the
spirituality realm.  In the mythology of the Divine Crisis, they're talking about
the problems when one reaches the higher spiritual level...if they're not
strengthened at that time, and haven't been able to purify themselves in the
proper way...a lot of their destructive energies of chaos and war will go with
them...and could cause many disasters on that spiritual level.  That often, the
divine energies of that level withdraw, and sort of disappear, like an eclipse of
the Sun (which) would represent that, could represent that as a metaphor...
(withdraw during an eclipse?) blocking out the spiritual light.

One must realize the sacrifices that a human goes through to raise itself to a
higher level, there are many sacrifices that take place.  And once those
sacrifices are done, one doesn't want to have to redo them...one would like to
hold the level they're at...and sometimes they have to withdraw and wait...
withdraw and hope that the surrounding conflicts will be overcome; that they'll
get help in other areas.

That's why interaction between other individuals is so important to help (in)
strengthening the overall patterns...this same dilemma (of withdrawing) one will
find in other mythologies; (which) is another example of the parallels I speak
about on the other tapes, the parallels and similarities in different cultures,
they're all talking about the same sort of challenge, same sort of riddle that has
to be overcome.  It's a riddle of humanity perhaps, being lived out on a singular
planet in an alone solar system, a riddle that has been challenged...placed upon
the fortitude and ability of the human race to overcome, to unravel.  I think that
this 'unknown riddle' is of great 'significance' to the entire Galaxy that we're
in...and that is one view that I have that is a possibility...(and also) explains
why we're so isolated (barricaded) on this planet Earth (from the rest of the
Galaxy).

I think these are directions that other individuals must look into and help with,
I think it's a direction that hasn't opened or (been) viewed very much, and it is
of paramount importance!  I think as one traverses the pilgrimage of their spiritual
development, gaining in strength, they also could experience many types of
diversions, side roads...paths that lead to a dead end.  And that could become a
stumbling block for their future development.

I think that in some of the Japanese mythology they speak of magic 'mirrors'.  There
is quite a bit of information in legend on mirrors, and of the effects in different
cultures, I think I'll take a break here and look up mirrors.  In some Japanese
traditions, mirrors are related to the revelation of the truth, as well as to
purity.  So when one looks through the Japanese myths that relate to mirrors, one
can realize that those legends are part of a truth and purity type of text perhaps...

The 'heavenly intelligence' reflected in a mirror is identified symbolically with
the Sun, and this is why the mirror is so often a solar symbol.  It is also a
lunar symbol in the sense of the Moon...the Moon reflects the light of the Sun,
it's like a mirror itself.  A solar mirror occurs in Japanese myth, in which the
mirror draws the divine light out of a cavern and reflects it upon the world.  In
Siberian symbolism, two great heavenly mirrors reflect the Universe, perhaps two
moons reflect the Universe.  In turn, the Shaman traps this refelction in his 
mirror.  This reflection of cosmic perfection also finds expression the the mirror
of Devi, and in that of Sarasundari, who are messengers, mirros of messengers.
In Vedic tradition, the mirror is the solar manifestation symbolizing the
successions of shapes, of transitory, and ever changing beings.

[Devi, also Mahadevi, and Parvati; Mahadevi, the wife of Shiva, meaning Great
Goddess'; she is often called Uma, which means 'light'.]

[Vedic, also Vedism; ancient Indo-European speaking peoples who entered India
1500BC from the Persian/Iran region; the name was taken from sacred texts
known as the Vedas; the starting point of Hinduism.]

The mirrors task is to reflect an image...'when the soul becomes a perfect
mirror, it becomes part of that image,' and through becoming part of that
image it undergoes a transformation.  Therefore there exists a relationship
between the object contemplated, and the mirror (the perfect soul), which
contemplates it; in the end the soul becomes part of that beauty to which it
exposes itself.  Because of the Universal belief that ones reflection is a 
vital part of ones soul, mirrors and other reflected surfaces were long regarded
as 'soul catchers,' or doorways to the other world of spirits.  Egyptians
used the same word for 'mirror' and 'life'.  Celtic women were buried with their
personal mirrors, which were supposed to be their 'soul catchers'.  In India,
the Great Goddess was called 'the Mirror of the Abbess,' in which the Great
God Shiva constantly reflects himself.  Buddhist said that all existence is
like a reflection in a mirror...  So just a little bit on (those) mirrors.
I think one must be a little cautious with mirrors, and also realize that
mirrors can be used, at least in some mythology legends, have been used to
capture things, to control things.

...I think though, what I've seen so far in this chapter on Japan and its 
mythology, the majority of things that occur in the legends and myths of
Japan, occur between the human elements; that the natural element seems to
not be mentioned (very much).  I think that it is extremely important to
that culture to focus more on the natural elements of the planet and of 
nature, it will help aid them.

They are focusing also on the Sun, the Sun is the Center of this solar system
and also represents many other things in symbols, in symbolizes; it is also a 
symbol of generating energy.  So there's quite a bit here; these, are quite a
few different areas that I feel would be helpful to look into, and also it
would help in understanding the Japanese culture and its subliminal messages
in its art work and music.  I think that the island energy also is something
that must be looked upon, not only as far as Japan, but as far as other Nations
on the globe itself.

In a lot of the Japanese artwork they have (are) depicting the Sun, the rays
of the Sun...I think what also is important to realize is that as one gains in
this (awareness) development, they'll come to realize an energy source that is
part of a spiritual level.  It's kind of...can be imagined as something that is
like a light from the Sun, 'a corposant ball of energy,' a whirling, swirling,
twirling, beam of light.  It could also resemble the shape of a round mirror;
it is not a mirror.

It's a pure form of energy that is present, and can be manifested through individual 
development.  I think a lot of that is symbolized in the rays of sunlight that one
sees in some of the artistic painting and sculpturings in the Japanese culture.
I think that, that Sun (in Japanese paintings) could represent a sphere of pure
energy, and could be looked at from that point (metaphorically).  A sphere
(corposant) of pure energy that comes right out of the planet itself (and is seen
depicted as a horizon with the image of the Sun).  And then one could take some
of the myth stories and legends, and view those legends from that point of view
also.

What I see in some of the art work here is that they are expressing the same type
of 'life and death' struggles that are depicted in other cultures.  They have
advanced...this is another form of expression, but it expresses the same themes...of
individuals and the surrounding spirits...the different types of spirits and
their influences.  That the human race is surrounded with many many different types of
dimensions and manifesting zones, zones of different types of spirits and realms;
and the fact, that there is the corposant light of the Sun as part of it also.

That the elements of sea and air also interplay with some of the animals.  I also
can...sort of wonder about how the...why there aren't more depictions of animals
in this description.  This particular reference that I'm using, it sort of misses
that point in the Japanese culture.  I know the Japanese are very fond of animals
and nature, so I think that is an area that I haven't been able to include here,
but it's an important area.

You know, as I try to go through this in my own way with the tools that I have to
work with in references, and different types of documents, I sometimes find that
often there's quite a great limitation of what is really available...and that makes
it even more difficult to express empathically some of the important points.

It's hard to pull all of this out of the...kind of like out of the air...and explain
it in a tangible and realistic rational way.  So many things 'conflict' with
rational, because they don't fit with it; because it's (a spiritual form in) a
spiritual context, a spiritual type of manifestation (in many cases manifestations
are not viewed as included in 'rational thinking').

[Rational or rationalism, in philosophy is a method of inquiry which regards reason
as the leading source and test of knowledge and, is in contrast to empiricism, tends
to discountenance sensory experience; the rationalist views the human mind as a
blank tablet; whereas the spiritual realm views the mind as a completely condensed
form of hidden knowledge which is trying to free itself. By discounting sensory 
experiences, the rational mind eventually becomes trapped within, held within its
own bounds, whereas with spiritualism, one is free to come and go as they wish or
please; however, the major problem is that the rational continues to try and either
capture the spiritual or isolate it...such is the dilemma which has appeared in the
form of 'rationalism thinking.'  Sometimes I think the rational, is testing areas of
knowledge where no test is required.] 

...It's like...I'll try and give an example.  'One cannot really guarantee what
tomorrow will be like'...and it's kind of the same thing when one begins to raise
themselves in their...they have to have a lot of faith in what tomorrow will be
like when they wake up and go through that day...they have to have a lot of faith
in themselves, in their own spiritual understanding of self, in their...just
everyday activities.  They must also have faith in their interaction with other
individuals.

When I read a book, when I hear a tape or interview that someone else does, I listen
to it, and I try to take in as much as I feel is necessary for me to take in at the
time; I remember points of interest that relate to where I am at that particular
point in my own learning.  I remember those, and utilize those key points, the other
points are acknowledged, but they're not put into a permanent type of active memory
...and then I continue to move on.  After I have developed and passed those lessons
and that level, I gain...move into another level, and then I may refer back to that
same description, to see if there's something that relates to this next level.  And
I would hope that those that listen to my tapes, will use them in the same way.

And I think that a number of (which brings to mind)...several years ago I had a
'vision' of Japan.  In the vision was a Japanese woman who danced...was dressed
in a Japanese floral 'kimono'.  And in this vision, as she appeared...we were
surrounded with a whiteness, and she appeared and looked at me.  Her face was
painted white, her eyebrows very black, and her hair very black, her kimono
very nice.  And she smiled at me, and I looked at her, and (then I) stepped 
backwards...and when I stepped backwards, she stepped toward me...when I
stepped towards her...she stepped back (smiling).  It was like a very nice
feeling between her and I (with this kind of dance); she did not speak with me.

And there were...where we were in this whiteness, suddenly (there) appeared,
transparent like glass walls that she could step through...and I followed her.
Then I stepped around a glass wall (screen) to try to hide...sort of hide or
get away from her...to see if she could find me.  And she all of a sudden
materialized next to me...and we went through this a little bit...and then
she knelt down on the ground in front of me (and slowly looked up at me)...and
I reached down on the ground, and there was snow...and I picked up a little
snow and sprinkled it on her forehead.  And then she stood and took me to 
what appeared to be a (small white wood) doorway...it had a padlock on it...and
then that was the end of the vision.

And I always remembered this particular vision, I related it to the mountain
Fujiyama, as a feminine personification of the mountain, and the snow would 
have been the winter snow that would sprinkle upon the mountain.  And that
the mountain was there, like she was there, and the mountain was aware of
my existence; and that there was also a doorway there that I could find if
I wanted too.  I wanted to add this vision in with the Japan tape, because 
it is part of Japan, it is something to share with them, and it also related
to a higher type of spiritual communication.  This vision with her was a
non-verbal communication, it was a communication of feminine energy and emotion,
to a masculine form of energy and emotion.  It was all very highly respectful,
it was all very unique, and very clear, a very clear vision, very clear
surroundings.

What it was telling me is pretty much what I'm trying to explain on this tape
of Japan...is that there exist there a very high spiritual level if one looks for
it...I'm sure one can find all different types of levels, spiritual levels in any
culture, in any Nation.  But what I'm saying here is, that there is a very high
one that's matured and has been...is conscious of...in Japanese culture for many
many centuries.  And that this development, this form of development could be
shared in some ways, and that could be a good positive awareness (that perhaps)
could be derived from it.

There's a lot to learn from the Japanese mythology.  There's (in Japan) an
extremely valuable area to look into for anyone who is trying to develop their
spirituality.  If one goes to India, they will pick up...they will learn, absorb,
a certain amount of spiritual development energy.  Then if one were to be able to
travel to Japan, they will be able to pick up this other form of spiritual energy
that is already there.  And I think this is one way, if a person can travel...
because I think that one could try and absorb some of this energy by not going to
those locations, however, they may be able to pick up something by being there in
the location...I think that that is another possibility also; of course it depends
on the individual.  Still I wanted to bring these points out so they would be
recorded and shared with those that are able to listen to these tapes.

I've always been impressed with Japanese poetry, I find it very difficult to find
sometimes, at least find/so that it is translated into English.  I think that in
the cultural realm, poetry is an important spiritual form of communication.

[Poetry, is often defined as a form of universal communication which the Gods
speak; thus, it has been described in ancient text.]

...It is also a symbol, a symbol or indicator of awareness, spiritual
awareness of a culture.  It could be read (cultural development), in the form
of poetry that is created during certain era's of a societies development.
Not all of the availability of Japanese poetry have I been able to come in
contact with, but what I have read, is very clear...and it produces a very
good energy source for empathic exercises.  As one reads...they can...at least
I have been able to visualize what's being described...actually see the mental
picture.  And if I was reading about a certain flower, or a certain color
butterfly, I would actually be able to see it in my...imagine it in my mind
as I read it (the poem).  The picture is clear.

And this is another example of the points I'm trying to make about the higher
level of spiritual development which is on the islands of Japan.  This is an
area I think...on the music side I don't have very much background on Japanese
music.  But I also see there's quite a bit of discipline in certain social levels
of Japanese culture, but that's an area too that is kind of at this time, one that
I won't have time to get into on this tape.

Okay...at the closing of this tape, I will want to bring in a little bit on Korea;
there isn't a whole lot I can say, except that Korea is a Nation that has produced
a...over many thousand years, has produced a tremendous amount of cultural and
artistic ability.  That a lot of that cultural...those gifted cultural individuals
were...have been migrated to China, and a lot of them have migrated to Japan.
So in China and Japan, one must realize that often, here and there, there are
links...cultural links, artistic links to Korea.

And that Korea, in its spritual sense remains kind of 'a silent wisdom,' kind
of like a hidden type of awareness and understanding; and that it (Korea) has
shared a lot of itself with the Asians of China and the Asians of Japan.  And
in this way also, they are sort of tied together culturally; and the culture
also manifests the spiritual levels.  So one could also keep those things in
mind.

I think if one...I think as I look at some of the other paintings and prints,
I have a feeling...this particular one is about 'the floating Bridge of Heaven.'
That the Floating Bridge of Heaven, and a Jeweled Spear...that when I look at
the woman depicted in this (painting), I have a feeling that the hidden
knowledge and wisdom that is part of the Japanese race, is one that could 
be highly advanced.  It is hard to put it all into words.

I think it would help to know which location in the Galaxy they originated
from, if that would be possible it would help to give a clearer picture.

Anyway at this time, I close this tape...

~

[End of tape on Japan; note: text is yet to be proof read].

                                             This page created June98
                                                 members.tripod.com