Behold the beauty of connection, creativity, and calmness flowing from three days of deep spiritual practice at our recent Spring Comprehensive Spiritual Development Retreat Weekend (CSDR). Here, dear Rebeca leads our participants in a Sunday Morning Yin Yoga Class that releases tension in the body while inspiring fresh, positive thinking in the mind. New, more peaceful thinking leads to a renewed, more peaceful life. Couple yoga with meditation, add the power of Ceremonial purification and top it all off with a Master Teacher’s understanding of Soul Psychology, and the result is a thorough and dramatic transformation, a deep, positive shift in one’s being.
Drawing from his writings and adept knowledge of numerology, John shared several articles that included little known Secrets of Joy. By examining Joy from a numerological perspective, we unlock valid but not commonly recognized methods for achieving and maintaining more joyful living, all contained in this lovely, simple and yet complex word. “In numerology, the word Joy reads 167. This number combination is very powerful, because it speaks of spiritual maturity and the power it brings to one’s life. The number 167 reads insistence balanced by patience. This is the very principle by which all creation is possible. Where there is no patience, joy cannot possibly exist, because when the insistence to have one’s way is left unchecked, one become so preoccupied with making things happen right now, that there is no time to enjoy the results of one’s efforts. Instead, it’s on to the next demand. Then the next. This is immaturity, breeding dissatisfaction and despair, the very opposite of joy. By applying patience, new possibilities present themselves, those of not only enjoying the results of one’s efforts, but also the process of creation itself.
Now let’s dive a little deeper into our numerological examination of Joy. The number 167 adds up to 14 (1 + 6 + 7 = 14). This number reads an insistence to change in the positive and not to change in the negative. This will to change, to grow, and to expand one’s life is the key to joy. The will to keep everything the same is stagnation and the essence of misery. The will to progress as spiritual beings requires a balanced effort of action and patience. The will to keep all things the same requires only the insistence to do so, but this attitude conflicts with the energy of life. Life is movement, growth, expansion and constant renewal. Life cannot be held still or stifled. Change is inevitable, so one who resists change is not in harmony with life, thus losing their ability to direct their life and have a say in what will be. Those who are willing to surrender to the process of life, trusting change, not resisting the powerful flow, will be honored by life. They will gain the ability to direct their life in a meaningful way, in full accordance with the natural laws of a benevolent Universe. They will eventually get exactly what they want, but in the meantime their patient, trusting attitude will enable them to really enjoy the ride, experiencing it all. They live in the calm, ever-expanding moment of eternal joy, Their happiness is not governed by the fleeting whims of immaturity.
The final number of Joy is 5 (1 + 6 + 7 = 14 and 1 + 4 = 5). The number five is also the number of life (3 + 9 + 6 + 5 = 23 and 2 + 3 = 5). Joy and Life are connected by this common vibration, and they are also connected by this challenge — freedom of expression. To express your own individuality is to be alive and joy is the product of self-expression. Unlimited self-expression equals unlimited joy of living. Those are some pretty big secrets for such a little word, and if you’re intrigued and interested in learning even more, our next Spiritual Development Retreat with the Mighty John Ashbrook will be offered Friday September 29th — Sunday October 1st, with John teaching the next class in his series on the development of a true spiritual life. But in case you’re still building your patience muscle and can’t quite wait until Fall, Rebecca will be here offering a special extended Yin Yoga Weekend Friday August 11th — Sunday August 13th. There’s also our Summer Noble Silence Meditation Retreat Weekend the first weekend in August and Ceremony monthly through year-end. This is the way to a happiness beyond external conditions and a peace that can never be taken away. But don’t just take my word(s) on it. Here’s Martha’s take on her May CSDR experience, as we look forward to seeing you.
“Stepping out of the car, the first thing I noticed were the sounds - birds chirping, the slight rustling of leaves. No car traffic, lawn mowers, ambulance sirens. I instantly felt better than when I got into my car in southeast Michigan. Although I felt some hesitancy in this, my first try at meditation, by Saturday evening I was hooked! Paul provided a gradual introduction, accompanied by sacred songs, and interspersed with time to walk in the woods. I felt a calm, which had been currently lacking in my life. On Sunday, Yin Yoga with Rebecca was an added bonus, relaxing for both body and spirit. Lively and thoughtful discussions among the attendees during mealtimes helped to further promote positivity. I returned home, relaxed and calm in mind, body and spirit.”