01 Amalgamation: Softening Up Fixed Perspectives

The word "amalgamation" relates the concept of softening up, so that something may be extracted or blended in. One cannot expect to move anywhere, internally or externally, if they are fixed and firm in their body, mind and spirit. Growth requires change and change requires movement. The first stage is about releasing your fixed ideas, opening up your body's energy system and being to allow some growth in.

Stage 1 will deal with the softening up process at two levels: mind and body. The mental aspect is to loosen up  thoughts to expand the world view, in order to consider some new ideas. The physical aspect concerns loosening up the body's energy system so it can take in more from outside, and expand itself in the process.

Mind

People, like most life forms, are generally lazy. By default, they will pick the path of least resistance. Why walk, when you can drive? Microwave dinner in 8 minutes rather than spend 5 hours fixing a pot roast. Point-and-click rather than sit down and read a book. This is nothing to be ashamed about, as everyone does it. But it also puts us into patterned behavior--we tend to continue to repeat the same things, over and over, and seldom try anything new. And it gets worse as you get older--I've certainly learned about that, personally! As they say, "You can't teach an old dog, new tricks," but you actually CAN, when you can break the patterns that hold you back.

The "hard stuff" that needs softening up are all those things that we have accepted without question, and do without thinking. Should something disrupt those patterns, we become reactive--get angry or frustrated because we can no longer follow that path of least resistance and have to put out energy and effort to either defend our position, or learn a new trick. The softening up process of "Amalgamation" is to start to recognize that which alters our behavior as an opportunity to grow, rather than an annoyance.

As opportunity is recognized, that reactive pattern changes to one of conscious action. And that will lead to questioning ones actions. "Why do I down that cup of coffee EVERY morning, without even thinking about it?" "Must surf internet... must surf internet... I must comply!" And one of the first questions you should be asking yourself is, "Why am I reading this nonsense!" Think about that a bit, and see what your motivations are.

These reactive patterns are referred to as "repressed contents" in psychology. There is nothing wrong or bad about it, as it is just the way the psyche works. But as part of this softening process, we attempt to let go of some of those chains binding those unconscious thoughts, and let them come out into the light of consciousness. And as that process progresses, you are going to find a few emotions attached to it, namely: fear, anger and hate. As to why... the answer is simple. Repressed contents have feelings, too, and are a bit annoyed being locked in the closet for years, if not decades. It is natural for them to be a little upset with the ego-consciousness that has been in control. But they also respond to the positive emotions. When a child bangs their toe, it's best to give some comfort, and that is what you do when the repressed contents begin to surface--accept them for what they are, and let them know that they are wanted.

I know it may sound a bit strange to treat the complexes of the psyche as separate, intelligent entities, but as the lessons proceed, you're going to find that most of the biological organism IS intelligent--the cells, the blood, the energies. Soften up that mind to at least consider that possibility!

Body

The body's energy system has a central point of importance, being that cell where egg and sperm first met to get things going. It is located about 2 inches behind your navel, and is call the Dan Tien in the East (there are many spelling variations), and the Elixir Field in the West.

Just like the repressed contents of the mind, this center of energy has gotten its share of garbage piled up over the years. This should also be softened up, to allow some housecleaning. The process to do this is meditation. If you are not familiar with the concept, meditation is a mental exercise that, with practice, can consciously control many of the body's functions and processes. The Vulcans of Star Trek were into meditation, as it helps calm the emotions and focuses the mind.

In order to bring things to focus, a system of symbols is used. The dan tien can be symbolised as a crystal ball--yep, just like Professor Trelawney of Hogwarts has for her divination class. But in this case, place it INSIDE your body, centered behind and slightly below the navel. If you are good at sensing energy, you'll instinctively sense the right spot for it. Meditation will consist of a single process: out with the bad, in with the good. Good energy, in this case.

[Will follow up with details]