Mantra as a Method to Transcend Inner Blockages

By George A. Boyd ©2022

Q: Are there mantras that can help get through mental blockages?

A: Meditators report seven major types of blockages that impedes them going deeper in meditation:

  1. They are locked into physical pain or the symptoms of disease, and they cannot detach their attention from these deep body sensations.
  2. They encounter an etheric blockage in their inner vehicles of consciousness that stops them from further deepening in meditation.
  3. They are absorbed in emotional pain, trauma, or terror, and they cannot pass through this wall of anguish.
  4. They cannot collect attention at the waking state of consciousness; they cannot lift up into the thread of consciousness. As a result, they cannot achieve focal awareness.
  5. They become absorbed in planning or thinking, and they cannot transcend their mental field.
  6. An inner barrier, such as the gate to the Subconscious mind, the gate to the Superconscious mind, or the gate at the entrance to an Initiation blocks them, and they cannot go beyond this locked portal.
  7. They identify with a vehicular seed atom, a nucleus of identity, or the spirit in one of the 12 Domains, and they cannot view anything beyond the inner spiritual horizon that appears before them. They consequently consider this visible inner horizon as the highest stage of spirituality, and they stop their spiritual development before they reach that highest point. This perceptual ring-pass-not does not allow them to journey beyond this place on the Path.

The criteria for a mantra to function as a means to transport your attention beyond these blockages include:

  • The mantra must originate on a higher vibrational platform than the blockage.
  • It must be able to engage the meditator’s attention and move it through the blockage.
  • It must enable your attention to break through the layers of the unconscious mind, when karmic material in this zone of the mind makes up the blockage.
  • It must actively move your attention along the thread of consciousness or across the unconscious mind, and not merely resonate the seed atoms of selected inner vehicles.
  • The mantra must be repeated correctly to enable the attention to move. You need to find the correct technique—for example, chanting, whispering, using the mantra with the breath, repetition with the attention, or activation through the intention of the attentional principle—for the mantra to achieve the uplift of your attention and to move through the barrier.
  • It must inspire faith and hope that the technique will work, so the meditator will be motivated to use it.
  • For it to work in an Integral fashion, it must be keyed to the immortal essences along the axis of being—the attentional principle, the spirit, or the cutting edge ensouling entity—and not lead meditators onto unrelated Paths or regions of the Continuum that have no relevance for the their Intrinsic Soul Purpose.

Mantras that meditators have found helpful to transcend these blockages include:

  • AUM [pronounced Ohm] – repeat with your attention
  • I AM – repeat with your attention
  • HANSA – sniff in HAN, sniff out SA; repeat with your attention once your attention has become collected at the waking state of awareness
  • Centering mantras keyed to the Self or an ensouling entity on the axis of being – breathe the mantra into this essence
  • Contemplative mantras keyed to the spirit in one of the 12 Domains – remember the spirit, and repeat the mantra with your attention

Each method has its particular strengths:

  • AUM helps to concentrate your attention.
  • I AM excels at moving your attention through the unconscious mind to transcend this band of the mind.
  • HANSA facilitates collecting your attention and moving it along the thread of consciousness.
  • Centering and contemplative mantras focus your attention on a higher spiritual essence, and allow you to move beyond the gate of the Conscious mind and blockages within the personality to transcend into the Superconscious mind.

We teach the HANSA method in the Introduction to Meditation Program and our intermediate classes, the in-person Mudrashram® Master Course in Meditation and the by-mail and online Accelerated Meditation Program. We also teach contemplative mantras in our intermediate meditation programs. We teach centering mantras in our advanced course, the Mudrashram® Advanced Course in Meditation.

Some people find that a meditation consultation is helpful to work on solutions to surmount the blockage that keeps them from moving deeper in meditation. Sometimes, finding an alternate method to the one you are using will help you get through the barrier that holds you back.

We encourage you to find a method that allows you to transcend the blockage you are encountering. We will be happy to assist you find a solution.

Perspectives on the Mighty I AM Presence

By George A. Boyd © 2022

Q: Why is it that people describe the Mighty I AM Presence differently? Some New Age teachers seem to equate it with the Higher Self, while others point to it as some kind of power center that you can tap into through decrees.

A: The Mighty I AM Presence is the nucleus of identity that is located in the right side of the chest of the Solar Angel, which is the form your Soul activates as it is taking the Second Planetary Initiation. This nucleus of identity is experienced differently on each of the Seven Rays:

First Ray – This views the Mighty I AM Presence as an all-accomplishing force—the Word in Manifestation—that has the power to dissolve evil and darkness, and to manifest whatever you decree. In the Bible, there is the story of the Roman centurion, who said to Jesus, “If you will only speak the Word…” he believed that this power in Jesus would fulfill his prayer.

Second Ray – From this viewpoint, the Mighty I AM Presence actively ministers to (1) your life, (2) your health, (3) your relationships, (4) your career and finances, (5) your duty, (6) your ministry, and (7) your service. In our Light Sittings, we call upon the Mighty I AM Presence to minister to those in attunement and treat these seven areas of their experience.

Third Ray – In this perspective, the Mighty I AM Presence appears as the inmost of three orders of being: (1) embodied being, comprising life and personality—the human Self controls this; (2) the Christ consciousness, which is experienced in the First Planetary Initiation; and (3) the Divine Solar Being, in the Second Planetary Initiation. This inmost aspect of being can be activated and unfolded through specific decrees that the Ascended Masters reveal. Several of the “I AM Movement” groups and the Church Universal and Triumphant approach the Mighty I AM Presence through this lens.

Fourth Ray – In this standpoint, there is no separation between the Mighty I AM Presence and its creation in human life. Those who embrace this mystical perspective experience a spontaneous manifestation of intention and desire through a series of mysterious coincidences and apparent miracles.

Fifth Ray – This point of view finds the Mighty I AM Presence is in the Hridaya center of the Solar Angel—on the right side of the chest. You activate the Solar Angel and its integration center, the Mighty I AM Presence, through placing your attention on this nucleus of identity and making your request; the Mighty I AM Presence speaks the Word concerning what you have brought to its inner altar of Light. This is the way that we describe the Mighty I AM Presence in the Mudrashram® Correspondence Course — our special training given to those who are undergoing the Second Planetary Initiation teaches our students to activate this essence using this method.

Sixth Ray – Those that adopt this perceptual frame only regard their Mighty I AM Presence in relationship to an Ascended Master, who overshadows it, teaches it, sends it Light and Grace, and unfolds it. Those who fully identity with this highly devotional relational spiritual dyad find that their Ascended Master progressively unfolds this nucleus of identity until it is established in the abode of the Ascended Masters—with the one who sends it the Light.

Seventh Ray – Here, the core of the Mighty I AM Presence is progressively revealed through a series of realizations, which bridge from egoic awareness to a state of ecstatic, detached illumination. Each higher state of consciousness is mirrored along this track; those that complete this opening of this corridor fuse into the Mighty I AM Presence. Those that reach this core realization may believe that they have reached the summit of spiritual attainment, and mistake their realizations for the actual attainment of exalted spiritual stations in higher octaves of being. This thread connecting the ego with the Mighty I AM Presence can be opened through Agni Yoga attunements—often coordinated with awakening the Kundalini—or through using mantras. Some groups in the New Age community look to this perceptual transformation as “the ascension;” this opening, however, does not unfold the Soul.

It is important to distinguish the Soul and Higher Self from the Mighty I AM Presence:

The Higher Self is the form through which the Soul expresses—we call this form, the Soul’s essential vehicle. This Higher Self takes a series of noumenal forms: it may appear as a Christ-like being, or a god or goddess.

The Soul is formless, dwelling in the Void beyond Creation; the Soul’s essential vehicle is its form in Creation, through which the Soul operates its vehicles of the Superconscious mind, and guides and aligns its human Self with the Soul’s Purpose.

The Mighty I AM Presence is a nucleus of identity, which is an integration center in the Superconscious mind. The Soul lines up with this nucleus of identity, when it takes the Second Planetary Initiation.

We teach our students who take one of our intermediate courses, the in-person Mudrashram® Master Course in Meditation or the by-mail and online Accelerated Meditation Program how to unfold their Soul through each level of the Planetary Realm— and each higher level of the Continuum: Transplanetary, Cosmic, Supracosmic, and Transcendental. When they move through the Second Planetary Initiation, they activate their Mighty I AM Presence.

We invite you to join us on this inner journey of spiritual discovery and transformation. Schedule a complimentary spiritual discovery session with us to find out if one of our intermediate courses is right for you.

What Happens When People Take Psychedelic Drugs?

By George A. Boyd © 2011

Q: What happens when people take psychedelic or hallucinogenic drugs?

A: You can visualize the effects of ingestion of these substances on seven different layers of the body-mind.

  1. Biochemical/Neurological – This appears to generate passive movement of the astral body through the deeper layers of the mind when the electrochemical action of the drug overwhelms the normal homeostatic mechanisms, and breaks through the protective etheric veil.

  2. Attentional – Absorption of attention into altered states of consciousness and loss of ego awareness. While under the peak influence of the drug, it may be difficult or impossible to return to the waking state of awareness.
  3. Movement – When energy and awareness open into the unconscious bands of the mind, there may be a variety of involuntary motor behavior, including jerking, tics, spasms, or spontaneous posturing. This may also take the form of involuntary speech, such as uttering mantras, making organismic sounds, or speaking in an unknown tongue (glossolalia).
  4. Sensory – Hallucinogenic drugs are known for their rich tapestries of visual displays, sensory illusions, and temporary synesthesia—a blending of the senses.
  5. Emotional – During the psychedelic experience, the person taking the drug may experience a wide range of deeply repressed emotions, such as rage, terror, anxiety, depression, and grief.
  6. Reason – When reason turns off during the depths of the experience, the person may experience the loss of reality testing and inability to identify what is real. This temporary reason-suspending effect of psychedelic drugs is called psychotomimetic, which means, resembling psychosis.
  7. Kundalini – Some individuals experience an awakening of their Kundalini. This powerfully focuses their attention and awareness into altered states of consciousness during the height of the intoxication.

What happens when these different layers are activated during the psychedelic experience?

Layer one is common to many classifications of drugs that overwhelm the homeostatic mechanisms of the brain and passively move the astral body into deeper levels of the body-mind. Similar to hypnosis, these substances appear to readily open the portals of perception into the Subconscious and Superconscious levels of the mind.

Layer two occurs when attention is irresistibly absorbed in the psychedelic experience. Those ingesting these substances may experience that their attention is drawn to a particular center of the Superconscious mind, and may become fixed in it. Depending on the environmental setting, attention may become absorbed in different nuclei of identity, the spirit, or the Soul.

Layer three appears to indicate that the Kundalini has penetrated the unconscious layers of the mind, which produces the involuntary movement and speech characteristic of emergence phenomena. This usually occurs when the Kundalini moves beyond the cutting edge of spirituality.

When Layer four is opened, the normal sensory veil that restricts sensations to the physical environment is transcended, and the individual undergoing the psychedelic experience may temporarily be immersed in the subtle impressions arising from the astral, attentional, attentional principle, spirit, illumined Mind, or Soul octaves of the mind.

Layer five is a direct encounter with deep layers of emotion that are normally secreted in the unconscious mind. The individual undergoing the psychedelic trip may simply experience what is there in the hidden vaults of the mind, or something seen during the drug high may evoke powerful emotional reaction. For example, visions of a demon or extraterrestrial during a trip may evoke terror; beholding an angel or spiritual guide may bring up joy and exultation. In the rare case where the individual experiences temporary possession states during this visionary journey, the fear can become overwhelming.

Layer six appears to occur during powerful psychedelic experiences, which temporarily shut down the rational mind and lead attention to transcend and disidentify with the ego. If these functions are not restored after the drug has worn off, the individual may be left in a sustained delusional and dissociated state.

Layer seven, Kundalini awakening, appears for some people taking the psychedelic substance—not everyone experiences this. When this energy is drawn to levels beyond the Soul—which we refer to the cutting edge of spirituality—the Kundalini energy may move beyond the Soul’s ability to control it, and the individual may experience a full-blown Kundalini emergency syndrome. If the energy is not brought back down, these symptoms may persist beyond the trip.

In Mudrashram®, we recommend that seekers avoid using these powerful psychedelic drugs. Instead, we advocate that they learn to control their attention and intentionally open their awareness to encompass each of the levels that they might encounter during a drug-induced trance, and visit these realms in full consciousness.

Those wishing to learn how you might do this, we teach these methods in our intermediate meditation classes, in in-person Mudrashram® Master Course in Meditation and the by-mail and online Accelerated Meditation Program.

Patterns of Spiritual Falls

By George A. Boyd ©2022

Q: You have said that sinful or adharmic action causes darkening of consciousness. Are there different types of spiritual falls? If so, can you describe them?

A: Spiritual falls are of two types:

  1. Veiling of the Soul – in this type, the Soul does not actually move down the scale of being (devolution), but a curtain of darkness forms in front of the Soul. This darkening can range from a few nodal points to many Planes in front of the Soul.
  2. Descent in consciousness – in this type, karma builds up behind the Soul in the unconscious mind. When it exceeds a certain critical mass, it actually moves the Soul to lower nodal points on its Path.

Different antecedents are associated with each type:

  • Type one affects character, belief, and behavior; type two may bring loss of ability, knowledge, and core virtue.
  • Personal choices and motivation trigger type one; violation of Soul Purpose or disobedience to the Divine Will precipitates type two.
  • Misuse of personal volition may generate type one; misuse of higher octaves of will can bring about type two.
  • Lying and breaking promises may result in type one; breaking a sacred spiritual vow or betraying a spiritual Master may cause type two.
  • Acting on passions of intemperance and addiction, lust, greed, anger, or narcissism may result in type one; turning away from the Light and embracing evil ends in type two.
  • Not doing what needs to be done out of cowardice, self-doubt, or misevaluation of the situation leads to type one; not carrying out your Soul Purpose, or not enacting a Dispensation under the Divine Will (Mauj) and commandment of the Master (Agya) can be the cause of type two.
  • Rebellion and refusal to do what is necessary may yield type one; rejecting the Divine Mercy and Grace may end in type two.

The karmic darkening of both type one and type two can be rectified under certain circumstances:

  • In some cases, if aspirants or disciples admit their error, ask for forgiveness, and resolve to not repeat their mistake, the karmic darkening—if not too severe—can be forgiven. This is called absolution.
  • In other cases, if aspirants or disciples have access to a transformational method that dissolves and transmutes karma, they may be allowed to work off the karma through using their transformational method. This is called expiation.
  • In yet other cases, where there has been an egregious misuse of power or betrayal of a sacred vow, the wayward aspirants or disciples may be turned over to the Lords of Karma. The Lords of Karma will execute a karmic sentence, which requires these individuals to undergo a period of retribution for their deeds, which may last for a few days to multiple lifetimes. This is called remediation.
  • In a few rare cases, Masters may send the Light to burn away these karmic impressions and return the Soul to its native purity and harmony. This is called forgiveness of sins.

Absolution is granted to certain clergy—ministers and priests—to bestow on those who confess their sins and ask for Divine forgiveness. Absolution is one of the sacraments that Catholic priests are empowered to grant, for example.

Expiation, working off of sins through using a transformational method appears in spiritual groups that disseminate a method that actually dissolves and transmutes karma, and purifies the mind. Expiation is the primary method that we hold out to our disciples in Mudrashram® to work off their karmic darkening. This also appears in the Catholic Church as the penitential practice of repeating the “Our Father” or “Hail Mary” prayer a set number of times to atone for their sins.

If the sin is of such gravity that it requires remediation, aspirants and disciples will find that the Lords of Karma will begin to intervene in their lives. This may be episodic, in that the remediation will take place for a delimited period in their current lifetime. In extreme cases, a karmic pattern may be encountered over a series of lives, in which the karma is experienced in varied, repeating cycles.

Some Cosmic Masters, Supracosmic Masters (Gurus), and Transcendental Masters (Sat Gurus) have the ability to make attunements to burn off karmic impressions that accrue as a result of sin. My first spiritual teacher, Maha Genii Turriziani—who was a Cosmic Master—had this ability.

If you have had a spiritual fall, it is important to identify what has caused this and work it out:

  1. Notice what you decided… thought… felt… desired… and the speech or behavior you did that resulted in that darkening of your consciousness.
  2. Identify another way that you could approach this situation that would not result in sin.
  3. Resolve to not repeat the behavior.
  4. Choose to perform the alternate approach in the future.
  5. Use whatever means to absolve or expiate the sin that is available to you.

Many aspirants and disciples, despite their best intentions, may precipitate a spiritual fall. If this happens to you, we recommend you recognize what has happened and take measures to clean it up.