By Wes Annac, Editor, Openhearted Rebel
This is the video version of my article 5 Ways Meditation Helps the Mind and Body.
In this video, we’ll look at some of the lesser known benefits of meditation. If you like it, subscribe and hit the notification bell to see future videos on the Wes Annac/Openhearted Rebel YouTube channel.
By Wes Annac, Editor, Openhearted Rebel
We don’t hear as much about the physical benefits of meditation as we do the spiritual. Fortunately, the scientific community is interested in it and has done a fair amount of research on it.
Scientists don’t see it as something that will enlighten you or fuel a spiritual journey; they see it as a simple effort to calm the mind using certain mental techniques. They’ve found that this helps the mind and body in notable ways.
In this article, we’ll learn about the physical and psychological benefits of meditation. Specifically, we’ll learn how it can help with creativity, dementia and Alzheimer’s, stress, anxiety, and addiction.
We’ll start with something the scientific and spiritual communities agree on: meditation can make you more creative. Continue reading
By Wes Annac, Editor, Openhearted Rebel
Do you want to know yourself? Sit and breathe. Do you want to know the divine? Sit and breathe.
In an overcomplicated world, this simple advice can change everything. No need to push yourself toward some amazing, grandiose personal change. No need to become unhappy trying to live up to some guru’s expectations. No need to abandon who you are in hopes of becoming something more.
Just breathe deeply and let spirit take care of the rest.
Are you aware you have a spiritual power source you can access with a few simple breaths? Another world awaits those who can calm the mind and deep-breathe their way into a space of peace. This blissful world could transform life for everyone if more of us were open to it.
We’d need to do little more than relax and, you guessed it, breathe. Continue reading
By Wes Annac, Editor, Openhearted Rebel
By bringing your attention to your subconscious, it helps you become aware of things deep within that either help or hurt you. If you meditate for long enough, it’ll reveal the answers to your deepest questions.
Without meditation, I don’t think I could receive the guidance I’ve needed to get through countless problems in life.
Meditation was there for me each time I realized I can’t find what I need in the material world. By becoming silent, still, and willing to listen to the nothingness, I discovered a higher consciousness and the potential to plunge deeper.
Within the meditation-induced nothingness, you discover the intuitive stream of thought that leads to positive places through positive choices. If you can tune in and listen to this intuitive thought stream, it’ll help you stay on the right path.
By Wes Annac, Culture of Awareness
This is a part of The Cannabis Writings, a series of articles on the Culture of Awareness.
Cannabis can be used medicinally, recreationally or spiritually. Either way, the user will get something positive out of it as long as they don’t overindulge.
Recreational use can (but doesn’t always) cause overindulgence, and many spiritual users only use small amounts for the enhanced meditative effects. They don’t want to get intoxicated by using a crazy amount or doing it continuously, and a humble dosage is all they need for a good meditation.
There’s nothing wrong with recreational use, especially if you work hard and it helps you enjoy your work or unwind at the end of the day. However, to get the most out of the plant, one only needs a small amount and the willingness to let natural meditation take care of the rest.
Meditation can be powerful on its own, but if even a micro dose of cannabis is introduced, it’s taken to a whole new level.
This can be said about anything when paired with cannabis. It makes art, music and creativity better; it makes a sunny day better; it makes exercise better; it basically improves whatever one’s doing when they use it. This includes meditation.
Plenty of spiritual writers have shed light on the benefits of cannabis, but we tend to discuss it in a vague way that shows support but doesn’t explain how it helps people spiritually.
What about it makes it so powerful and helpful?
Credit: wakingtimes.com
You’d have to experience it yourself to know what it’s like, and the simplest explanation I can give is that it provides a higher state of consciousness, known by some as the essence of God, in plant form.
It’s a gift from our creator meant to be used spiritually, ceremonially, medicinally, recreationally or however it best serves us, and the fact that it enhances everything means that it enhances who we are on a soul level.
Everything seems better with cannabis because it puts you in a temporary higher state of consciousness where your connection with the Most High is pure and you can pick up on guidance and enhance your creativity.
To state that it’s the plant form of a higher vibration is, in my opinion, the best way to describe its spiritual value. Yet, this too is a vague description that doesn’t do justice.
In my opinion, the reason some become paranoid when they use it (beyond the fact that it’s illegal and taboo, which can cause anxiety), is because in enhancing and expanding their consciousness, it makes them aware of their fear, anxiety and nervousness.
When it makes people giggly, it illuminates the inner child, who’s dying to be free; to laugh and play as joyfully as it once did.
“When you smoke the herb, it reveals you to yourself.”- Bob Marley
It temporarily brings aspects of the subconscious mind into the conscious, and whatever we’ve suppressed (including the inner child) will come pouring out during such a powerful experience. The giggle eventually goes away for most longtime users, because they slowly learn to integrate the inner child back into their life.
It no longer needs to show itself in big ways during the few precious moments it has during an experience with cannabis, and it becomes a regular aspect of life just like the ‘adult’ self.
Credit: Alex Grey
Beyond the personal experience necessary if you want to really understand what cannabis does for the mind, body and spirit, some in the spiritual community have shed light on specific benefits that most of us can generally understand.
We’ll look at some of those benefits here, and I should stress that this information doesn’t have to be accepted as fact or taken as a guide to spiritual cannabis use.
If anything written here doesn’t resonate, you don’t have to accept it just because I or anyone else supports it. Go with what you know and feel is right, but try to be open to this information because it could contain some truth. You’ll never know if you don’t give it a chance.
According to Boldsky.com writer ‘Abhishek’, the cannabis high operates on a higher vibration mostly unknown and unexplored in modern society, making it different from synthetic drugs that, in my opinion, lower your consciousness.
It can also help cosmic energy flow freely throughout the seven chakras because of its higher vibration, which is imparts onto the user. The seamless energy flow results from the chakras’ increased ability to absorb subatomic particles.
It can help the 7 endocrine glands function properly, but only if it’s used in moderation. I’d imagine using it too heavily can inhibit their proper functioning, and anything that becomes an obsessive habit will begin to have a negative effect.
Cannabis is no exception, which is one reason moderation is encouraged.
It’s important to be in the right spirit and the right frame of mind when using it; otherwise you might not get everything out of it you seek and longtime users may be driven to use more to find what they’re looking for, which doesn’t work.
If you use it specifically for spirituality, it’s best to be clear on your intention before, during and after.
It can also enhance psychic powers due to the free flow of energy through the chakras, which can help us understand the purpose of existence and reclaim our seemingly lost connection with God.
I’m sure some people would laugh at the idea of having psychic powers because it sounds like something out of a children’s cartoon, but as we expand our consciousness, we’ll be amazed at the kinds of things we can achieve.
“It is important to consume marijuana in limited quantities with the right spirit. Focusing on your thoughts and your heart will certainly serve to change the way you think and understand certain fundamental aspects of life.” – Abhishek at Boldsky.com
Credit: galacticconnection.com
While some people consider meditation to be more powerful and more worthy of pursuit than cannabis, the latter enhances meditation and helps the free-flowing cosmic energy dance throughout the seven chakras and express itself constantly in our lives.
Spiritual users would be best to focus on the plant’s meditative aspects, but no matter how you use it, don’t forget what it can do for you.
Remember that we have a valuable opportunity to clear the mind and meditate in every moment, and try not to rely on anything external for what can only be found within.
There are decades-long recreational users who never discover its spiritual value because they never use it for this purpose, so try to look at the plant in a new way and see if you don’t get something enormously positive out of it.
(Sources embedded in article.)
By Wes Annac, Culture of Awareness
This is a part of The Teachers Speak, a series of articles on the Culture of Awareness. Read full post here.
Franklin Merrell-Wolff was a philosopher who, after experiencing a spiritual awakening in 1936, became dedicated to jnana yoga and the theologian Shankara.
He gave detailed accounts of his experiences with a higher consciousness, and he referred to the bliss which frequently surrounded him as ambrosia. I’m interested in his writings because he shared his experiences with no bias and no underlying need to convince the reader.
He simply wanted to document his journey for the sake of helping others, and he probably knew that one day, more people would awaken spiritually and would benefit from reading his experiences. He had plenty of insight to share, and he shared it for everyone who would eventually seek enlightenment. Continue reading
Credit: yourheartknows.wordpress.com
By Wes Annac, Culture of Awareness
“You can build great wisdom and genius by spending time each day in grateful communion with your inner voice. What better way of creating a more fulfilling life than by mastering the art of tuning into your most inspired and ingenious self, your inner voice?
“This voice is your guide of all guides to a life of greatness. You cannot attune to this inspiring voice without living a more inspiring life. Genius, creativity, and a silent power emerge from your heart and mind the moment you do.” – Dr. John F. Demartini (source)
I decided to commit to writing because it opens me up to a wellspring of guidance and creativity.
For me, this makes it a powerful form of meditation. It becomes meditation when I open my mind and write from the heart, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it connects me with a higher consciousness. Some call this consciousness God; some call it the higher self; some interpret it as an inner voice.
Reggae legend Bob Marley said in one of his final interviews that everyone has an inner voice ‘talking’ to them and we should listen to it. Writing brings me in sync with this voice, and putting pen to paper gives it free reign to express itself. Continue reading
