• This week in focus: On Meditations on the Tarot

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There are quite a number of tarot books that recognise the Christian foundation of tarot - or at least its Christian development through the course of earlier centuries. Then there are some that explicitly speak of its connections with the Christian esoteric stream - books such as Heline’s The Bible and the Tarot; Haven’s Le Tarot; the Benedictine monk Hederman’s Tarot: Talisman or Taboo?; and of course that most astounding tarot book, of which the likes ofThomas Keating (Trappist monk), Fr Beded Griffiths, B Pennington, and perhaps even more importantly one of the 20th Century’s most influential and insightful theologians, Hans Urs von Balthasar, speak highly favourably.

Of the above named, Thomas Keating (abbot) writes of Meditations on the Tarot as ‘the greatest contribution to date toward the rediscovery and renewal of the Christian contemplative tradition’; Fr Bede Griffiths says that it is ‘simply astonishing. I have never read such a comprehensive account of the perennial philosophy’; and another Trappist abbot, Basil Pennington, simply says that it is ‘the most extraordinary work I have ever read’.

Over the years, I have held various courses based on this book, using both the French edition (it was originally written in French, even though the author was Russian, completed his PhD in German, and worked for the BBC post-WWII translating into English Soviet materials) as well as Robert Powell’s English translation - there are some nuances in the original French that need to be explained and which a translation, no matter how superb, will inevitably overlook.

Of the book, I would like here to quote a little from von Balthasar’s foreword (which was originally included in the German translation of the book - the translation that Pope St John Paul II had). In the newest English imprint of the book (by Angelico Press), von Balthasar’s text appears as an Afterword. Therein, he writes:

‘It is remarkable that Meditations on the Tarot takes the ancient symbolic pictures of the Tarot cards as their point of departure’ (p699)He had previously mentioned the incredible resurgence of important esoteric teachings during the Middle Ages and renaissance, including Kabbalah:

‘The first discussions for or against the secret teachings of the Cabbala go back to both converted and non-converted Spanish Jews of the twelfth century. Among those who later endeavoured to understand these teachings were Reuchlin in Germany, and, in Italy, Ficino, Pico della Mirandola (the latter especially), and the extraordinary Cardinal Giles de Viterbo (1469-1552) […]. Enjoined by Pope Clement VII, this zealous, reform hungry Cardinal wrote his ebullient dissertation on the “Shekinah” dedicated to Emperor Charles V.’

Von Balthasar continues a little later that ‘the basic spiritual direction of the author [of Meditations on the Tarot] becomes recognisable by remarking who in the spiritual tradition stands close to him: whom does he frequently refer to, often with loving reverence? Again and again the names of St Anthony the Great, St ALbertus Magnus, and St Francis of Assisi appear; and he quotes extensively above all from the works of St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila.

‘He immerses himself lovingly and with deep earnestness in the symbols of the Major Arcana of the Tarot. They inspire him; he allows himself to be borne aloft on the wings of his imagination; to behold the depths of the world and of the soul. […] The formidable power of his spiritual vision lies less in the detail than in the ineluctable certainty that at the depths of existence there is an inter-relationship between all things by way of analogy.’

10th February - 31st March, Tuesdays 6-7:30 pm, Margaret River
11 Station Rd (behind Anglican Church)
$200

Aside from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras - which reminds us that ‘yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind’ - there are a small number of other ‘classical’ texts that are frequently mentioned yet, unfortunately, remain as frequently un-studied - even within yoga teaching programmes. One of these is Swatmarasama Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā.

The book has four sections: on Asanas; on Pranayama; on the Bandhas; and on states of Samadhi. Though there is much overlap with the Yoga Sutras, there is also much that remains distinct, with excursions into important considerations for Consciousness - or what we may at times refer to as ‘spiritual awakening’. One such brief statement, or a prelude to the experience, is in Chapter 4, verse 16:

‘Remaining in the most suitable place, having found how to penetrate Shushumna and make Prana flow through the middle channel, it should be constrained within brahmarandhra, the centre of higher consciousness’

Three dates, three iconic locations. Each offering a programme rich in inner depth. The programmes run from Friday evening until Sunday 10 am.

Transform inner fears and anger, accept the flow of love's curiosity, avoid greed and envy - explore these known benefits of meditation... deepen your experience and discover ways to establish and maintain a personal practice that works for you...

Meditation retreats include
optional yoga or movement session
optional sound healing session
other optional extras based on location

Experience insights from the fields of wellness, neuroscientific research and other investigative fields; develop efficient techniques and methods of meditative practices; and form a framework to establish and maintain regular practice.

Using a simplified neuro-anatomical model through which to deepen meditation, the retreat space supports participants in personal journeys.

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Preview some discussion on meditation on In Body In Mind - Jean-Michel with Dave from Kundalini Yoga Southwest...

Wednesdays 6 pm - focus: deepening personal practice - resumes next week

Personal Development has traditionally focussed on spiritual formation. In the manner that I work, I include practices inclusive of imagery and meditation. If you are interested in finding out more, please be in contact.

Following an initial consultation, deepening work requires commitment for a once-a-month meeting for either 6 or 12 months (renewable if desired).

More details in the pdf below:

12-17 y.o. Homeschooling - Resumes Wednesday this week

Western Culture is steeped within a Christian framework that is, increasingly, being caricatured through some of its historical failings. Yet to understand much of the artwork, our holidays, even how it is that we have weekends as non-working days (at least for some of us), to partake and understand the foundational texts is important. We will read through the Gospel of St Matthew (and where relevant, cross-reference to Greek philosophy, mesapotamian astronomy/astrology, and their respective developments over the course of the ensuing centuries). I recommend the Jerusalem Bible as a good translation for the new Testament.

Similarly, Eastern culture has heavily been infused with streams emanating from the Upanishads, and one of the most influential line is through the Advaitist tradition through Sankaracharya's AtmaBhoda - a versed book that, like many others in the tradition, holds in condensed form a vast worldview and way of being.

9:30 - 11:30 BOOKS - Gospel of St Matthew - Jerusalem Bible translation (available as a pdf here - Matthew only), and the Atma Bodha (available as a pdf here).

12:30 - 2:30 ART - focussed on Geometry and astronomy

Suitable for yoga teachers and those with an interest in yoga. Tuesdays 10th February - 31st March

events.humanitix.com/hatha-yoga-pradipika

February-March, Tuesdays 6-7:30, Margaret River
11 Station Rd (behind Anglican Church)
$200

Thursdays 8 am - with Alice
Fridays 8 am - with Susana
Saturdays 8 am - with Jean-Michel
Sundays 8 am - with David & Devi

Monday 6 pm - with Alice
Tuesday 6 pm - with Jean-Michel [8-wk Hatha Pradipika]

Thursday 10 am - with Jean-Michel
Thursday 6 pm - with Jean-Michel

Thursday 6:00 am - DM Devi on @kundalini_southwest
Friday 6:00 am - DM Devi on @kundalini_southwest
Saturday 8:00 am - DM Devi on @kundalini_southwest

with…
Mary Greer, David Mitchell, Julia Chapple, Shirley Barroy,
Russell Sturgess, Kat Black, Carolyn Johnson, Sue Yarwood,
Jean-Michel David, Marina Lovasz

Get a copy of my tarot book, Reading the Marseille Tarot here

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