2024: From Ruts to Grooves
In 2023, the guiding theme of "penetration" illuminated my journey, sparked by the profound impact of Hurricane Lydia and a heightened awareness of life after death. This revelation led me to contemplate the various ruts and patterns that ensnare us in life, a notion further reinforced through the rewriting of my book, 'Enlightenment Pie.' Much like the grooves on a record, these patterns dictate the rhythm of our lives, playing the same tune repeatedly. As I embrace 2024, my focus shifts to the concept of "transformation," inspired by the belief that change is an ongoing process.
The evolution of consciousness ignited by the awakening of 2020 underscores the importance of consciously navigating these patterns. As we step into the new year, my intention is to prioritize the transformation of these patterns, recognizing their significance in fostering spiritual growth, emotional equilibrium, and a deeper connection with ourselves and the universe. This conscious shift from negative ruts to positive grooves, akin to the change from rough road ruts to smoother paths, marks the beginning of a journey toward self-improvement. This journey not only shapes our present experiences but also guides our transitions beyond the boundaries of life, influencing our encounters in the realms of death and beyond.
Ruts:
In the context of Tibetan Shamanism, the concept of "ruts" delves into the cyclic patterns or habits that individuals can get stuck in during their waking life, within the realm of dreams, and even as they transition through the process of death.
Ruts in Life:
Tibetan Shamanism views ruts as habitual patterns that bind individuals, creating cycles of behavior, thoughts, and emotions. These ruts often represent attachments or fixations that hinder one's spiritual growth and freedom. They are akin to being stuck in a cycle of repetitive actions, thoughts, or reactions that limit personal evolution and enlightenment. Breaking free from these ruts is essential for spiritual liberation.
Ruts in Lucid Dreams:
In lucid dreaming within the Tibetan Shamanic framework, ruts can manifest as recurring dream scenarios or themes. These dreams may symbolize unresolved issues, fears, desires, or unfinished business from waking life. In this state, individuals might find themselves repeatedly encountering similar dream landscapes, situations, or characters, signifying a need for introspection and resolution.
Tibetan Shamanic practitioners may work with dream practices to navigate these dream ruts. They might explore lucid dreaming techniques to consciously engage with dream elements, unravel their symbolic meanings, and resolve underlying issues to break free from repetitive dream patterns.
Ruts in Death:
The concept of ruts also extends to the transitional phase of death in Tibetan Shamanism. The process of dying is seen as a crucial opportunity to transcend cyclic existence (Samsara) and attain liberation (Nirvana). However, attachment to worldly desires, unresolved emotions, and habitual patterns can create obstacles during this transition, leading to rebirth and continuation within the cycle of existence.
Tibetan Shamanic practices, including the Bardo teachings, guide individuals through the various stages of death and the afterlife. The goal is to help the dying person recognize and navigate these transitional states, liberate themselves from attachments, and transcend cyclic existence to attain enlightenment.
In essence, ruts within Tibetan Shamanism represent the repetitive patterns that bind individuals in waking life, dreams, and the journey through death. Breaking free from these patterns involves introspection, mindfulness, and spiritual practices aimed at achieving liberation and transcendence from cyclic existence.
My own experience:
As a medium and lucid dreamer, I have the unique ability to connect with individuals in their transition into the afterlife. Through these encounters, I often experience and witness their journey through death, gaining insights into the intricate tapestry of emotions, memories, and unresolved sentiments that intertwine with their consciousness during this profound transition.
One such example is the account of Frank's passage into death. In this vivid experience, I found myself immersed in Frank's narrative, traversing through the corridors of his consciousness as he grappled with the final moments of his earthly existence. Frank's story, as conveyed through my lucid dream and mediumship, encapsulates a profound journey encompassing reflections on relationships, regrets, nostalgic memories, and the cyclic nature of human experiences.
I am lying in a hospital bed. I have been here for a few days now. I thought I would go home the first day. I didn’t feel well but not sick enough to be in here. My back is sore. I feel tired. It is difficult to breathe. This cold really hit me hard. I feel dizzy. I want to call my daughter. My cell phone is sitting on my food tray to my left. I reach out for the phone. There are tubes pulling at my armpit. Suddenly the light is very bright. Who turned the light on? I can’t see my phone. I try to feel for it. I feel very tired. I see my favorite chair in my living room. I think I’ll go sit down. I sit down and place my hands on the arms of the chair. They are worn on the edges. I lay back to sleep. My mom is shouting. I know it is time for school and I am late. I jump out of bed. I am searching everywhere for my favorite pants.
My name is Frank. I was estranged from my wife for quite a time before I left this world. I regret not loving her the way I could have. I wanted to call my daughter. I wanted to tell her that I loved her. What happened with me and her mother does not represent how I feel about her. I found my dog. I found my favorite fishing spot when I was a kid.
Through this encounter and others like it, I've come to recognize the resonance between the transition into death and the ruts individuals often find themselves stuck in during their lifetime. These encounters provide a unique window into the complexities of human emotions, offering profound insights into the unresolved patterns and sentiments that persist beyond the physical realm. Frank's narrative serves as a poignant illustration of these intricate connections between life's ruts, unresolved emotions, and the transition into the afterlife.
Grooves:
In the context of Yoga and the Vedas, "grooves" refer to the patterns of behavior, thought, and action that individuals cultivate throughout their lives. These grooves can be both positive and negative, representing habitual tendencies that shape one's character, actions, and experiences. Understanding and transforming these grooves play a significant role in the pursuit of self-improvement and spiritual evolution.
Positive Grooves in Yoga and the Vedas:
Positive grooves signify virtuous, uplifting, and constructive behavioral patterns cultivated through conscious effort and discipline. In the yogic and Vedic philosophy, these grooves align with virtues such as compassion, truthfulness, self-discipline, kindness, and mindfulness. These positive grooves are seen as pathways that lead individuals towards self-realization, enlightenment, and harmonious existence.
Practices such as regular meditation, selfless service (seva), adherence to ethical principles (yamas and niyamas in Yoga), devotion (bhakti), and the pursuit of knowledge (jnana) help individuals carve positive grooves in their lives. These patterns of behavior foster spiritual growth, mental clarity, emotional balance, and a sense of interconnectedness with the universe.
Transforming from Ruts to Grooves:
Ruts, in contrast, represent entrenched patterns of behavior or thought that may be detrimental, limiting, or negative. They often stem from conditioning, past experiences, and unexamined beliefs. The transition from a rut to a groove involves consciously shifting from negative or unproductive patterns towards positive and beneficial behaviors.
Yoga and Vedic teachings emphasize various transformative practices to shift from ruts to grooves:
Self-awareness: Recognizing and acknowledging one's negative patterns is the first step towards transformation. Cultivating self-awareness through practices like introspection, mindfulness, and self-reflection helps identify and understand these ruts.
Conscious Effort: Once identified, conscious effort and determination are crucial to break free from negative grooves. This might involve adopting positive habits, practicing positive affirmations, and consciously choosing constructive behaviors.
Yoga Practices: Engaging in yoga asanas, pranayama (breath control), and meditation aids in calming the mind, reducing stress, and promoting mental clarity. These practices create space for self-exploration and the development of positive grooves.
Cultivating Virtues: Embracing virtues like patience, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion helps in transforming behavior from negative to positive. By consciously cultivating these virtues, individuals pave the way for healthier patterns of living.
Seek Guidance: Seeking guidance from experienced teachers, mentors, or spiritual guides can offer insights, support, and techniques for transitioning from ruts to grooves.
In essence, Yoga and the Vedas acknowledge the significance of grooves – be they positive or negative – in shaping human experiences. Through self-awareness, conscious effort, and the cultivation of virtues, individuals can navigate away from negative ruts and cultivate positive grooves that lead to a more fulfilling and spiritually enriching life.
Conclusion:
In the journey of life, our experiences are often shaped by the patterns of behavior and thought we develop, known as "ruts" and "grooves." Ruts represent entrenched, often negative, patterns that limit our growth, while grooves signify positive, uplifting behaviors that lead us toward self-realization and fulfillment.
Read more in my new Winter Guide!
This concept is deeply interwoven into various philosophies, including Yoga, Vedas, and Tibetan Shamanism, transcending the boundaries of life and death. Through mediums and lucid dreamers, insights into transitions such as death reveal how these ruts and grooves persist beyond life, shaping our final moments and influencing our experiences in the afterlife.
The practices suggested by these philosophies, including self-awareness, conscious effort, yoga, meditation, and the cultivation of virtues, offer pathways to transform negative ruts into positive grooves. Recognizing these patterns provides an opportunity for introspection, enabling us to break free from limiting behaviors and embrace constructive paths.
As we step into 2024, focusing on the transformation of these patterns becomes paramount. By consciously shifting from negative ruts to positive grooves, we embark on a journey of self-improvement, fostering spiritual growth, emotional balance, and a deeper connection with ourselves and the universe. This focus on recognizing, altering, and nurturing our behavioral patterns not only enhances our present experiences but also shapes our journey beyond the horizon of life, guiding our transitions and experiences in the realms of death and beyond.
