Microcosmic Awareness

Just me and my universe

Spirituality often has a stated goal of helping to achieve Cosmic Awareness in one form or another, but awareness of self — microcosmic awareness — is at least as important, in my view.

The ego has a tendency to not want to stay within defined limits. It wants to expand and intrude into more space and time than you actually occupy.

Awareness needs to include awareness of your own body, the fact that your mind is situated within you, within the extent of your physical self and the duration of your lifetime.

But the ego doesn't like to be restrained. It will fight back against meditation that tries to compel it to recognize its own rational boundaries. I've experienced this psychical push-back in the form of sudden chills, or feeling like I have a sore throat coming on. It can be a struggle but it's worth the effort.

A spirituality that strengthens the self has to first acknowledge the self, and that the power and importance and longevity the ego would like to believe it has isn't real. The cosmos encompasses you, not the other way around.

Movement

I've had the experience of moving through space during meditation, or perhaps having space move through me (connecting the polarities of stillness and movement?)

I'm not sure what else to say about it at the moment, so I'll leave that to be further digested.

Se disserere : unlocking oneself or examining oneself.

Spirandum ante sententiam gnoscite

Egyptian Hieratic Aum

Know the breath before the thought. This is a concept which I think is agreeable to traditional Rosicrucians, the Om often being incorporated into their cosmo-conception.

Let your thoughts explore the object of your meditation, but don't cling to them. Be aware of your thoughts as they surface, then let them go and return to the breath.

This may be at odds with the proceduralism of Egyptian magic and European alchemy, but I think it's at least a good place to start.

Welcome

Welcome to the blog of the Zen Rosicrucian. What is that, you may ask ? In short, it is the practice of zazen in contemplation of Rosicrucian symbolism.

The original Rosicrucian manuscripts of the 17th century combined anti-authoritarian Reformist Christianity with esotericism, syncretism and spiritual alchemy, whereas the prominent Rosicrucian fraternal organizations of today, such as AMORC, CR+C and SRIA incorporate a broad focus of structured study and practice largely revolving around concepts that were trendy in the Edwardian era (Egyptology, Atlantis, examination of psychic phenomena).

As a Zen Rosicrucian, I practice a more minimalist approach, according the maxim Calix iam plenus replevit non potest, or "you can't refill a cup that's already full". Through simple meditation on Rosicrucian imagery, I try to empty myself and allow my conscious and unconscious minds to explore the symbolism as they will, treating that symbolism, after a fashion, as a form of Zen koan.

If this concept intrigues you, I invite you to read further.

How do I practice ?

Typically, I set up my small Rosicrucian altar, fill the brass bowl with water, light candles and incense and, seated before the altar in typical zazen fashion, I mediate quietly, allowing my thoughts to flow freely. Afterwards, I take the bowl to the sink and use the water for a post-meditative ablution.

This ablution was added at the suggestion of my Neopagan sister-in-law, who says it improves my aura. I don't know whether this is true, but I like it as a calming and cleansing way to conclude my practice.

What I hope to experience generally during meditation is a sense of inner joy, as Buddhists might put it, but this doesn't always come to me. However, it's important not to have too much attachment to any particular goal. In sese ire est ire extra tempus — to go into yourself is to go outside of time, to escape your own drives and thus meet yourself in a state of renewal.

I hope you've enjoyed this introductory post, and hopefully more will accrue.