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This session took place on June 8, 2008. [Michael Entity] Hello to everyone. We are here. [QUESTION] I see a lot of folks who have bad dreams in my work and have found that while interpretation can be useful, people often find relief just by imagining a better ending for the dream. I don't remember where I learned that (maybe from you?). Anyway it seems to bring relief from nightmares. What is the mechanism by which this works? is it just that I say it will and people believe me? Or is it something astral? or simply the subconscious mind doing its thing? All that seems to be required is a good imagination and being in "alpha" waves. [Michael Entity] There is a level of dreaming that is primarily symbolic and these dreams are where issues from the waking life are being processed or examined. It does not require a fragment to be asleep for those symbols to be meaningful, but the symbols that are recalled from the dream are often the most directly-significant to the issues. For most fragments, the dream state can help resolve these issues being played out symbolically. This symbolic level of dreaming is very similar to how fragments experience and interact on the Astral Plane anyway, but for those fragments who have not resolved the issues being played out in symbolic dreaming, then bringing in the consciousness of the waking personality can help break the worrying cycle that has led to what some describe as "nightmares." This method of resolution is a natural strength for most fragments, which is why it so naturally occurs during sleep where the Personality dissolves to its default nature of strengths and weaknesses. Nearly all fragments assign symbolism to emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and physical elements of the life, though this symbolism is often lost to the conscious personality (waking state). When you, QUESTIONER, direct a fragment to use those symbols and experiences from the dream in a conscious way to bring about a break in the cycle and to direct toward resolution, it is not only resolving the issue in many ways, but bringing about an alignment between the conscious and subconscious selves. This same method can be used for those who are not having nightmares or remembering dreams: Examining an issue within the waking state and breaking it down into symbolism, then manipulating those symbols into a way that brings about a sense of direction, closure, or change can help implement those very things in the reality. For instance, a fragment may be feeling obstacles or patterns that keep him or her locked into poverty or survival modes. This fragment might choose a symbol to represent himself and the obstacles or patterns, adding in a current idea of a solution, and manipulate these into a way that displays a symbolic solution. Keeping that symbolic sense of solution at hand, in mind, heart, or even visually depicted (drawn out), can help to break the current symbolic pattern. [QUESTIONER] cool! bypasses the intellect setting up barriers I would think [Michael Entity] Your assessment is valid, for it is the Intellect that often keeps movement locked into an undesirable pattern. This is by no means true in all situations, but in many, it is. [QUESTION] Could you give an example of this conscious working with symbols such as the poverty or survival mode idea? [Michael Entity] Questioner, the symbolism would have to be specific to the individual, so our example will not be universal. For instance, one example might be a CAT to represent the individual, a BALL INSIDE A CIRCULAR TUBED TRACK with just a bit of a slit along the inside ring of the tube for reaching at the ball, to represent the pattern/obstacle. The current situation has the cat swatting at the ball over and over and often in a frenzy while the ball is forever locked inside that circular track. No amount of swatting or maneuvering is going to change this ball's circular roll within the tubed track. This person might then change the pattern by realizing that the symbolic pattern of the ball in the track means that everything about what the cat is doing is never going to get anywhere beyond chasing current ideas, actions, and feelings in circles. This situation would either require intervention (maybe a human to come along and break open the track to get to the ball) or to simply walk away to a completely new adventure. For the sake of this example, it might seem to be the most directly implementable action to simply walk away from the current ideas and actions. This person might then imagine the cat walking away wistfully and finding a small tree with accessible branches bearing dollar bills, all dangling in the wind. The cat is seen as having an hilarious and playful time jumping and swatting at the branches and knocking down the dollar bills into a pile. This person, then, might keep that image in mind when he or she begins to feel trapped again within patterns that are obviously not working so that he or she can be open to other, more accessible, inputs and possibilities within the reality. Keep in mind that these symbolic plays are NOT the solution in themselves, but are symbolic shifts toward internal solutions or breaks from patterns in how one is perceiving and interpreting reality, which is then a powerful step toward finding and creating external "real life" solutions and breaks. We would also suggest examining why this person might have chosen himself to be symbolized by a CAT, looking at all that a cat means to that person and applying that insight as a way to discover how he or she sees the self in relation to the issue. We will point out here that this topic could be an entire discussion in itself and one that might be worth examining in the future. [QUESTION] What is meditation? Is it just silencing the internal chattering, or is something else involved? I recently had some personal advice in meditation from Michael, but trying to follow it, I started wondering what meditation actually is. [Michael Entity] From our perspective, "meditation" is a word to describe the work through a triad that leads to adaptable balancing among all centers. This triad could be described as: EXAMINATION, IMPLEMENTATION, REALIZATION. We will describe this in detail now. First, a fragment would Examine the life to determine which Center is seeming least used, least effective, least understood, etc. For simplistic purposes, we will contain this to the 3 Primary Centers. So if one were to see that the MOVING Center is being used the least, or is the least effective, then this would determine the direction of IMPLEMENTATION. This would mean that your "meditation" would be of a Moving-Centered sort. Stillness or stereotypical concepts of "meditation" would not work for this fragment. This fragment could then Implement a moving meditation into his or her days. This moving meditation could be anything that includes the body and movement, which means that meditation could be anything from exercise to dancing to simple movements of the body while seated. Once a method has been Implemented, then the practice of this on a regular basis will lead to REALIZATION, which simply describes the effect of that particular meditation. In this case, a balance within the self that has taught the body how to call upon its moving center in a more effective way. The Implementation stage is the most important stage as it requires some amount of commitment for Realization to come about. The entirety of the experience from Examination to Implementation to Realization is "meditation." In other words, Meditation is not simply a separation from your routines (examination), nor is it simply the clear focus of intent during parts of your day (implementation), nor is it just the benefits on the other side of implementation (realization). It is a triad of effort. [QUESTION] what would be an example of using Emotional as the Center for Implementation? [Michael Entity] Listening to music that stimulates the emotions could be good for some fragments, while watching dramatic movies could be good for others; still others might find a walk through beautiful environments to be a means for implementing Emotional; exploring art could be another example for some. [QUESTION] So it doesn't matter if I think of this and that during implementation, as long as I move? [Michael Entity] The more consciousness one can direct toward that which is being implemented, the greater the Realization. So if one is implementing Movement, one can think and feel whatever one wishes, but allow the consciousness to fully embrace the body, the sensations, the experience of the movement as clearly as possible. It cannot hurt to be as focused as one can be on the implementation, but it is not necessary to block other natural elements within you. [QUESTIONER] I thought so [Michael Entity] Those who experience the Realization will find that one can think, feel, and act in a way that each does not overshadow or block the other. This is another topic worth exploring, if our students wished. [QUESTION] I want to know about the 4th internal monad and how one would know if they were on the way to manifesting their true personality [Michael Entity] The easiest way one can gauge whether one is moving forward through the 4th Internal Monad in a way that is a positive transition, or to gauge whether one has completed a 4th Internal Monad in a way that was in the Positive Pole, is to ask one, simple question: DO I LIKE ME? To the degree that a fragment can honestly say that he or she likes himself or herself, is the degree to which the 4th Internal Monad is being completed, or has been completed, in the Positive Pole. The Positive Pole of the entire 4th Internal Monad is Self-Realization, which is the experience of being present with who you are and generally liking who you are. The Negative Pole is Acquiescence, which is the feeling of being forced or succumbing to "who you are," and not really liking who that is. In short, if you can answer the question DO I LIKE ME? with an answer of "yes" to any degree, then you are generally manifesting True Personality to that degree. [QUESTION] There are different ”schools” teaching how to do psychic readings/how to read energy fields/do energy work. When doing a reading it's sometimes being used different energy techniques for different issues coming up in a reading. For instance: 1.Create and destroy, 2.Removing fear energies, 3.Delete programming, 4.Erasure and 5.Astral healing. If possible I would like Michael make a comment on the use of these techniques and the fact that some of these schools, even today, try to keep some secrecy around the energy techniques. [Michael Entity] Many "schools" who claim secrecy over their techniques are run by, and determined by, Baby Souls. The techniques involved would be beneficial to other Baby Souls, and to some Young Souls, but probably quite ineffective for Mature or Older Souls to use. This is because the techniques and beliefs that make these work are mythological and superstitiously rooted. If one can adapt these Baby Soul concepts into a more mature language and method, then the schooling might not be lost on the Mature or Older soul, but this would have to be kept in mind along the way. For instance, the idea that one can heal another is a Baby Soul concept, but the reality that one can help another to heal himself is a Mature concept. Even on the most physical of levels of intervention, a physical doctor can only do so much in treating a fragment and the fragment "being healed" must ultimately do the healing. Tending, or intervening the impact of wounds is one thing; but healing is always a personal matter. The older souls know this. We mention this as an example because many of the more secretive techniques and schoolings teach as an undercurrent a kind of power over others (whether for "good" or "bad,") and this ultimate power is simply not valid. If your technique for healing is considerate of the dynamic that needs to be in place between healer and wounded, with an holistic awareness, then the technique would be the most effective and valid. Techniques that leave out the choice of another tend to lead to Karma. [QUESTION] I have recently been involved in discussions with a few of my friends regarding political and governmental systems regarding which are the most effective. My friends would gladly describe themselves as “libertarian” whereas I cannot completely proscribe to such an ideology, if only because their description of “libertarianism” seems to give too much authority to the private sector and private interests; of which I am not entirely comfortable. They would likely label me as “socialist” or as “bleeding heart liberal” if they didn't know me better! I guess the questions are: Is there or are there ideal governmental system(s) or ideology for the current average soul age we are in currently, based on what Michael has perceived from other sentient beings? What do these systems look like? Perhaps what the United States and the rest of the world is currently experiencing in their governments are pretty typical for our current soul age development? That would be my perception at least. Also, what do typical governments look like on worlds that have a majority of old souls? Or do they even have governments? [Michael Entity] The politics of any given region or period of time usually describe the friction between the approaching paradigm and the current paradigm, each respectively defined by the approaching dominant Soul Age and the current dominant Soul Age. Many of the names assigned to the varying "parties" are tedious and unnecessary, so we will speak in broader terms here. NOTE FROM TROY: Some editing was done from the original text as I asked Michael for clarifications and questioned a couple of the original details. Also, the true definitions and delineations for all of the political/governmental systems can really get complicated, so Michael's response seems to be exactly what they've said, a "broader" perspective, at best. They did explain to me that there are really only three political systems, but a multitude of systems within those systems. [Michael Entity] It could be said that the following political systems are associated in this way: Infant Souls have no politics or order, and are therefore at the mercy of whatever dominant political system is in place at the time. However, they may be most comfortable with Dictatorship, which would be implemented by Baby Souls. The Baby/Young politics have shown up as Dictatorship, Capitalism, and Socialism. The Young/Mature politics have shown up as Monarchy, Republic, Socialism, and Communism. The Mature/Old politics have shown up as Monarchy, Democracy, and Anarchy. Old Soul politics return to a state of no politics, but more of what might be considered Anarchy. We use the word "anarchy" in its true definition, not as the Young or Mature soul might exploit the term. The anarchy usually takes on a form that would be recognized as Tribalism. In response to your questions: We would say that the politics of your current world are exactly indicative of the shifts from the dominant paradigm/soul age to another. From what we can see of other populations dominated by Old Soul Ages and paradigms, there are no governments that you would recognize beyond being more tribal groups in communication and exchange with one another, but with no discernible leader or authority. This is one of the reasons our teaching is particularly attractive to the older soul, since there is no discernible authority beyond the self, and even the sense of self is held in question to a degree that allows for sensitive consideration of all factors involved in the life. An Old Soul world is similar. [QUESTION] I realize my background in government is obviously lacking when I ask this question, but: Is there any distinguishable difference between a democracy and a republic according to Michael's perception? By including both, it seems to be implied that there is a difference. [Michael Entity] We differentiate a Republic from a Democracy in that a Republic has a more specifically-defined body of qualified voters or elected representatives, while a Democracy seeks to include all people, even those who might not be obviously qualified. The concept of Democracy can get confusing in some cultures such as in the United States because several forms of government are in place. Rather than a pure Democracy, the United States is far more accurately described as a Republic, which is a form of Democracy, but not true Democracy. In addition to this, the general promotion of Democracy is run from an Authoritarian perspective, or as a Plutocracy, to be specific. It could be said that the Physical economy of the United States is run by Plutocratic (authoritarian) politics, while the Emotional economy is run by Republican (Democratic) methods, and this is to be considered when looking at politics. There are Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, and Spiritual levels of Politics and Economy to consider in any system. The closest to an old soul political system that exists in your world today is what is experienced as "the Internet." [QUESTION] How are the Internet and politics related? [Michael Entity] If "politics" is seen as a term to describe how a body of people govern themselves and resolve apparent conflicts, then the Internet could be seen as a system of politics. In this case, as would be the case for the Old Soul world, COMMUNICATION would be at the core of those politics, or the INTELLECT as economy. The Infant Soul uses Freedom; the Baby Soul uses Authority; the Young Soul uses Capital; the Mature Soul uses Well-Being; and the Old Soul uses Communication at the root of their politics. The "ultimate" political system, in the end, will have to utilize all of these factors to govern a mix of soul ages. Hence, the politics of a Democracy or a Republic will include previous political emphases to some degree, but with the more current politics being the emphasis. [QUESTION] And so, just as we are doing here in this chat, everyone determines for themselves, and then relates to the outside world through communication. but as an autonomous being similarly engaged with other autonomous beings/people? Something like this? [Michael Entity] We think we have understood your question and we would agree. It could be said then that the politics of the Old Soul are CONTEXTUAL. Certain politics apply within specific instances, but are not seen as appropriate across the board. And each person determines his or her level of compliance within certain contexts, or freely moves to more appropriate contexts. We realize this is far from being deeply explored, but we will move on now. [QUESTION] Since we acquire new bodies each lifetime, why do we still carry "memories" of injuries from past lives into new lifetimes? How does this work? For ex. my back pain has been channeled as being from an injury from a past life that I am working out. [Michael Entity] One only carries "memories" of injuries into a current life when those injuries or memories are relevant to the current life. They are never random, and never literal. For instance, your back pain is a manifestation of similar patterns being explored within this lifetime that are resonant to other lifetimes of similar exploration. It is not that the injury was literally carried over, but that you are doing similar things in a similar way that then resonate to that other lifetime. That resonance can help in healing the current injury only insofar as insights can be gained from experiences integrated by your Essence from that lifetime. The resonance to the other lifetime is not to give justification or distraction from your current ailments, but to allow a means of direct access to the wisdom stored by Essence from that lifetime. If one can imagine one lifetime as one point on a line, while another lifetime is another point at a distance on that line, and then imagine a line being drawn from one lifetime to another, that line CANNOT be "drawn" without first creating an arc through Essence, which is "above the line." Often Personality can relate to other Personalities before it can relate to Essence, so it "remembers" (or receives through a channel) the reference to another lifetime of similarity, but this is merely a method for indirectly accessing Essence. Keeping that in mind can help the point of that remembering and resonance. However, to be more specific in response to your question, it is not the injury that carries over, nor the memory, but the PATTERNS that are stored in your Instinctive Center, which is pulled from one lifetime and then "inserted" into another lifetime. This is not a literal event, but the image is helpful. It can also hep to think of it as a program, or a collection of programs/software that is now available to the new personality. Depending on the choices of the current personality, certain programs/software/patterns will emerge for use, and many will not. In your case, QUESTIONER, you have called upon a theme of self-esteem issues, and these issues are often ignored or overridden on the emotional or intellectual levels to a degree that physical manifestation helps in tending to that theme of issues. You will then find resonance to lifetimes where a similar physical injury or ailment was being explored for similar reasons. [QUESTION] Could Michael suggest some energy-work on such an issue? [Michael Entity] The "energy work" for any given ailment would have to be relative to the ailment and the individual, but we can say that any chronic aching that is related to self-esteem issues would require "energy work" on the Emotional Body as a focal point, while emphasis of RELIEF on the Physical Body will help in allowing that focus. This energy work on the Emotional Body might be anything from cathartic expression to gestalt therapies to flotation therapies to singing therapies to permission therapies that allow for more of what one craves, etc. We wish to point out here that the patterns carried over from one lifetime to another are only brought into reality by the choices of the current personality. For instance, there have have been lifetimes for the Questioner that have been lived between the past life back injury and the back injury of this lifetime. Back pain was not an issue in those lifetimes between. A more poetic way to understand this might be that the songs heard from other lifetimes depends on the melodies played by this one. [QUESTION] I would like more information on the upcoming (or current??) nexus. It feels to me as if everything over a period of some months has been leading to this (at least for me personally.) Lots of old wounds and even fear patterns (particularly self-esteem, self-worth issues) have been triggered. I recognize them for what they are, but I need to find a way to stay focused on what it is that I want to create, particularly in terms of my career. I am also dealing with a boss who has a very different approach to life than I do. I am guessing she is some combination of sage/priest/warrior - very focused, driven (passion mode?) energy though even though I think she is emotionally centered. Whereas, even though I am a scholar, and intellectually centered, my approach is more fuzzy, diffuse, and go with the flow, or at least it feels that way. Any suggestions here? Please direct your answer in any way that would be helpful to others in general. I can follow up with Troy on the more personal aspects later. [Michael Entity] What we can say about the upcoming Nexus is that there seems to be an exploration of the concept of COMPARISONS/CONTRASTS. This seems to be resulting from the enthusiasm/collapse extremes that we have described for many of our students. The enthusiasm comes from the Persistence energy that pushes beyond the collapsing experience of Unchanging energy. It is fair to compare and contrast the unchanging energy with the persistent energy, or the collapsing energy with the enthusiastic energy, but will not be fair to oneself to presume one is stuck in this pattern indefinitely, or to presume one has to remain in one or the other. In light of this, many of you may find representatives of your inner enthusiasm/collapse around you. In your case, it could be said that your "boss" represents the enthusiasm, while "you" represent the collapses. This then leads to your attributing distaste for enthusiasm because your boss expresses it differently from what you would, and this leads to distaste for yourself since you see most easily the collapse in you. [QUESTION] and how to move beyond this? [Michael Entity] What one could do, using your example, is to try what we suggested in our Energy Report, which is to DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. In this case, it might mean to flip and reverse your perspective and interpretations in a completely enlightening and revitalizing way (instead of in the debilitating way that is your current pattern). Allow your boss to be the wonderful representative of how you create your collapses, and for yourself to represent what actually inspires your enthusiasm. In other words, doing things your way actually leads to productivity, creativity, and meaning, while doing things her way leads to confusion, overwhelm, and hopelessness. [QUESTIONER] I'm not quite grasping this [Michael Entity] If we are seeing the situation clearly, we would say that your collapses come in your comparing yourself to others forms of productivity and trying to implement methods not natural to you, whereas realizing what does and does not work for you allows for you to implement practices that encourage your enthusiasm and do not require you to conform to anyone else's methods. We believe we may be getting into personal territory and will halt our response here, but simply point out that the upcoming Nexus is one that emphasizes CONTRASTS and COMPARISONS and this is to allow for heightened awareness of what IS and IS NOT working for you in various areas of your life. The process of Comparing and Contrasting can often feel like self-judgment or judgment of others, and it is just that, but it is not something to be feared. It is simply a natural method for navigating life. To fear it is to remain stuck. To remain stuck is to remain at the extreme of collapse. We will conclude here, then. Good day to each of you. Goodbye.