Medications mask the process of going within by treating symptoms. They leave the root cause--limited awareness--untouched. Treat the symptom and the body will find another way to express the limitation. If we chronically ignore our inner guidance, we may find ourselves with a chronic illness.

 If we do not listen to our inspired Self,
we will be taking orders from our complaining self.

Even things that help us relax (including most guided meditations) can become distractions to becoming conscious of our subconscious. Pleasant distractions cannot replace genuine growth, for only awareness can create more awareness. This is the ascent of spirit in our bodies: the experience of being uplifted, inspired, and in love with all of life.

In the East, this is called the rising of the kundalini (life force) through the seven chakras (centers) of ever increasing natural pleasure. This book uses this ancient science to help the reader see how they are progressing on the infinite way within.

The seven levels of pleasure are (from the base of the spine to the crown): relaxation, pleasure, peace, human love, joy, bliss, and ecstasy (universal love). Each level builds on the foundation below it. As the kundalini rises, the more we are able to look within and see the subtle ways we create stress.

We learn that we can adjust our mental, emotional, and behavioral responses. Instead of tuning out and running toward medications, we slow down internally and find answers within. We shift from compulsive behavior to inner freedom. Outer freedom then becomes a simple choice.

This ascent of energy can be a simple, natural, and fun process. When we need to remember a telephone number, we quiet our mind and wait for the answer. If we try too hard (ego), we block the answer. As long as we are relaxed and have harmonious intent, answers come easily and the kundalini ascends.

When this energy reaches a place in the body that needs healing, we enter a crisis. In Chinese, the word for crisis also means opportunity. If we embrace growth, we delight in every opportunity to break through to a new level.

 Inspired thoughts, wonderful parents, drugs: these cannot help.

 Existential angst cannot be assuaged by mental gymnastics or a psychedelic high. The whole personality must learn how to ascend--any time, anywhere--no matter how hellish the circumstance. Awareness must deepen beyond the objects of consciousness (the world), and beyond the filter mechanism (the mind).

Carl Jung, the renowned Swiss psychologist, said that almost everyone who came to him in their forties came not because of a psychological problem, but because of a spiritual crisis (now known as a mid-life crisis).

Meditation Magic ibegins where psychology ends. It helps the reader find deep peace while fully engaged in the world. It guides the reader up the mount of transfiguration (the kundalini) to the higher self (awareness at the crown chakra). Each chapter illumines many paths leading to the One light.

 Meditation Magic is ageless wisdom for graceful growth.

Laughing dragons, cosmic cats, and wacky wizards reveal the alchemical keys. Laughing dragons breathe fire into our bodies and challenge us to explore the frontiers of possibility.

"The body is as solid as your limited thoughtsor as light as your dancing soul."

Cosmic cats live in wonder and grace. They revel in the pure pleasure of moving their bodies, and instantly release everything that prevents them from purrrring.

 "What may have taken you fifty years to learn in your stubbornness,
you can now learn in one magic moment."

Wacky wizards materialize visions in ease and silliness. They live in conscious ecstasy: the awareness that life offers as much joy as you know how to receive.

 "Life is ecstasy--now. If you believe this, you do not know.
If you knew, you would not believe it!"

With twelve chapters and fifty-two sections, Meditation Magic can serve as a text for weekly meditation groups or as a home-study course. Simply live one section per week for a year. Bring its essence into your heart. Expect miracles and tears of joy.

Additional practical, simple techniques are explored in the meditation cd's. They take you beyond belief systems into the light of heavenly experience.

These are some of the wild currents of Meditation Magic. Try opening it up at odd times to excite yourself with visions of why you are here. You are probably among the many who are ready for awakening. Just a tiny shift of perception is required.

 See what you want to see. Then wake up and see yourself dreaming.

Please write to say hello or share your magical awakenings.

From the Heart,

Anami

The One-Year Course

Meditation Magic  is for people who would rather read less and live more. Each of the fifty-two sections is a distillation of wisdom for blissful living.

But first, scan all the aphorisms (in bold) to sense your destination. Then begin contemplating one section per week. 

When your heart opens to verything around, then for
heaven's sake put the book down and radiate love profound!

Some ideas may not seem possible in a busy world. Perhaps childlike wonder has become an alien concept. If so, try coloring the illustrations. Let the child within come out and play! Rediscover beauty, mystery, and innocence.

Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." So while reading, contemplate how every idea may create a heaven within you and then around you. Meditation Magic  examines life and its essential, simple nature.

 Anything that seems profoundly obvious is
your soul saying, "AHA! I already know this."

Your growth may occur like this: First comes a mystical insight into a deeper level of love and beauty. Then comes the challenge of making the flash of insight a reality. This requires a change in lifestyle, career, or a dramatic shift in personal interaction.

The greater the flash, the more dramatic will be the changes required. If you make no changes and the insight remains a concept, then the spark will flicker and smolder till another day. This spark is what the wheel of life is about: endless opportunities to learn the same lesson.

Learn it now and save the heartache. Understand the process of growth and make your life a celebration. Learn the art of letting go and embracing change. Only your ego can get bruised in this process--not You, the soul.

When you disagree with something in this (or any) book, trust yourself. Yet stay open to another possibility. The soul whispers, "There is always a deeper Way."

If one particular section requires extra attention, review it every week while continuing to study new chapters. Certain sections will challenge the very existence of your false self. In fact, your mind can play endless tricks to prevent your blossoming. This is one of the divine functions of the mind: to play counterpoint to inspiration, provoking soul strength and courage. Understanding this will help you in difficult times.

If a particular section is not enjoyable, or difficult to understand, don't struggle trying to understand. Simply take what inspires you and leave the rest. Sip the nectar of your choosing. 

In joy, the problem is solved.

Give the poems a chance to help you awaken and heal. Read aloud, they can alchemize a stuck or unnatural breathing pattern and carry you into the fiery frequency of freedom. To appreciate them, sometimes you must first be in heightened awareness.

Write your realizations in the margins, keep a journal, or make a list of "Keys to Ecstasy!" on the blank pages at the end of this book. Meditation Magic is for you--now. Live it. Pass it on. Make the next twelve months your year of awakening.

Try following the monthly "Natural High Chart". Each day, this chart will inspire you to go a little bit further within. The higher your high, the higher will be your low point.

Integrate one insight a day. It is all you really need to live an amazingly exciting, growth-filled life.

 One peak experience a day keeps the gurus away.

Humble yourself daily by going into light. Learn to love learning, growing, being. This will nourish all of who you are. Most of all: become a scientist of love and freedom.