Shaman Explorations – New Zealand Roses

When I go to my acupuncturist, I am sometimes in a lot of pain.  She talks to me about what acupuncture is like in China (it’s much more intense), and she tells me that she likes to “ask” my body instead of “telling” it what to do.

This applies to yoga, too.  When you are in a difficult position, do you tell your body – commanding it to take a certain shape or form?  Or do you ask it, gently reminding it of what you want, and request that you work together?

Starhawk speaks of “Power Over” (command) versus “Power With” (cooperation).  The Ra Material speaks of “Service to Self” versus “Service to Others.”   Yoga and Buddhism teach of Ahimsa, non-violence.  If I understand correctly, one need only be 51% pure when asking, but needs to be 99% pure when telling.  Telling is harder work, and more dangerous.

While studying Carlos Casteneda, I learned that he has developed a warrior’s protocol for elevating the human to higher levels of being, called Tensegrity.  I have not studied it in depth, but have watched a few videos of it, and I was surprised at how it is TELLING, COMMANDING, not asking for these energetic upgrades.

I have also seen this pumping of energy in many modern kundalini practices, driving the energy through the centres, even when they may not be ready or able to handle the energy.  Wouldn’t it be better to ask, instead of tell?

In our polluted and blind society, it may seem necessary to take it to these more intense levels – “shredding” energy balls and grasping and grabbing as much energy as possible.

But the traditions of Tai Chi, Chi Gung, and martial arts have no need to grasp or shred.  There are huge gains and benefits to simply asking.  Hold the energy ball, bring it into your lower dantien – there is no need to shred it before “ingesting” it.  Your body will take what it needs.  Ask, not tell.

This is one of the differences I see between Wizardly or “ceremonial magick” practices and Earth magick.  The Wizard commands the spirit to appear, confines the spirit to a circle of his Will, and demands that the Spirit fulfill his request – whether that is teaching, or a command to perform a deed.  Wizards create gates, telling instead of asking, to travel the worlds.  It is the commanding, the telling, that makes Wizardly practices more dangerous, and involves greater ego.  To achieve goals by this method requires 99% purity and dedication to the practice.  It is so much easier to ask than tell.

This is also true of nearly all shamanic practices as well.

You don’t demand that you go on a Journey; you ask.  You don’t tell your Guardians help you, you ask.  You don’t command the Medicine Wheel – you invite it.

You don’t insist that your Helpers appear, you ask for their presence.  You offer gratitude when they do appear.  This gentle practice helps prevent us from becoming warped and selfish.

The entire multiverse is about relationship.  Treat your body as a friend, and it will be your friend.  Welcome your Helpers, your Journeys, even your Medicine Wheel as friends.

There is no need to force the rose to bloom.  Isn’t the rose more beautiful when it opens naturally?  Ask, not tell.