The Ageless Wisdom with Michael Benner

Personal Identity

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:54:30 -0700

You can't know what you want, or what to do to get it, if you're unclear about who you are. Are you what you think of yourself, or is your identity bound-up in how you feel about things? How can you "think for yourself," till you know who you are? What makes you tick? Visit www.FocusedPassion.com or call 818/973-3154 for more information

Dissent and Disobedience

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:55:23 -0700

The street protests in Tehran have quickly shifted their emphasis from a fraudulent election to a repressive system at large. In this webinar, we explore the non-political longing in each person on Earth for justice, freedom, and peace. Visit www.FocusedPassion.com or call 818/973-3154 for more information

Waking to Awareness

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:46:51 -0700

In this week's Mystery School, Michael describes three stages of awareness --- 1). the separated being motivated by fear
2). responsible for emotional feelings as well as thought, speech, and behavior motivated by understanding
3). the detached, mindful witness motivated by compassion.

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Seven Laws of Life

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:17:49 -0700

An inspiring introduction to the basic principles of Esoteric Philosophy, including laws of evolution, karma (cause & effect), reincarnation, vibration, polarity, harmony, & generation.

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Releasing Hate

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:40:12 -0700

Hatred is merely one of the faces of fear. Even those who bear no hatred, can find it difficult not to hate those who have targeted you. Here's how to recognize and release all hatred and fear for the greatest good of everyone.

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Meditation Aides and Devices

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:37:31 -0700

Learn about the various types of biofeedback devices, brain entrainment machines, cranial electro-stimulation units, flotation tanks (sensory deprivation), sleep machines, and massage chairs.

Visit www.FocusedPassion.com or call 818/973-3154 for more information

Codependency

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 19 May 2009 08:50:26 -0700

Codependency begins when your desire to please others becomes a need to please others through a performance. Codependents will abuse and betray themselves in an effort to manage other people's emotional feelings while expecting others to manage theirs.

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The Seven Spirits

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:12:30 -0700

Just as the seven colors of the rainbow can be made from the primary three, so Divinity has not just three, but seven rays or "Spirits before the Throne."

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Meditative-Hypnosis

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:34:02 -0700

Many of the mysteries of altered states of expanded awareness or higher consciousness are revealed here as Michael describes the complimentary nature of meditation, self-hypnosis, and alpha brain waves.

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The Seven Basic Fears

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:22:27 -0700

Only one of the seven is real danger. The other six are things unknow or confusing.

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The Holodeck & the Matrix

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:10:54 -0700

Things are not what they seem to be. They are more, much more than they seem to be. Things are the way we've been told they should be. Things are the way you expect them to be. Perception is Reality and Reality is perception.

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Life is What You Make It.

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:28:50 -0700

Perhaps the one, most important attitude change you can make to improve you Life is moving from helpless victim to initiating your responses. This is an ability known as "response-ability," and is a pre-requisite to success.

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Who's Driving your Car?

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:30:29 -0700

Here's an audio lesson about attaining a level of awareness that allows you to choose your thoughts, feelings, and behavior instead of being a victim of them.

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Karma

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:26:53 -0700

You reap what you sow, go where you look, and get what you expect. Karma also accounts for the Law of Attraction and the Golden Rule.

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What's the Deal with 2012?

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:40:45 -0700

Michael discusses the convergence of the Mayan calendar rolling over, with born-again interpretations of Revelation, the sunspot cycle, and Terrance McKenna's work with the I Ching.

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The Roots of Fear

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:42:25 -0700

The vast majority of your fear has nothing to do with danger. It is confusion that we fear ... at the center of which we find our Self.

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Spiritual Evolution

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:47:42 -0700

Between the false dichotomy of Creationism versus Evolution is the ancient concept of Spiritual Evolution. That is, besides Darwin's evolution of species there is an unfolding of conscious awareness ... which human beings can deliberately accelerate, if they wish, through study, meditation, and mindfulness.

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Finding Personal Security

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:41:29 -0800

It's hard to know much about anything in the world until you better understand your SELF ... your true Self, your Higher Self. What makes you tick? What do you care about, and why do you care?

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Intro to The Ageless Wisdom

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:51:40 -0800

If religious fundamentalists take scripture literally, those who see sacred writings as allegory are the mystics. Collectively, mysticism is known as The Ageless Wisdom or the Perennial Philosophy.

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Passion for Compassion

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:23:43 -0800

Here's an audio essay the personal growth available to those who seek to consciously respond to fear, hurt, upset, and anger with compassion.

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Let your Conscience Be your Guide

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:50:40 -0800

With the rare exception of true sociopaths, everyone has a conscience ... a sense of personal ethics and values. Here are tools & tips for developing your conscience by expanding your awareness of "Self."

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The Ring-Pass-Not

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:37:10 -0800

Change is guaranteed. It arrives as both good fortune and tragedy, but in any event, one who develops their awareness can always find an opportunity to grow ... in spite of the appearance of things.

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The Mystical Tree of Life

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:16:32 -0800

Like the caduceus, spine, wand, scepter and staff, the Tree of Life is a rich allegory for the connection between the material world and its Spiritual Source ... Jacob's Ladder, the Stairway to Heaven, the Mystic's Path.

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Substance vs the Appearance of Things

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:05:49 -0800

In this week's webinar, we look at our priorities by questioning what is true, eternal, and infinite. What really lasts ... and what's really "real."

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Hermetic Secrets of Ancient Egypt

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:38:45 -0800

The correspondence between the principles of ancient Egyptian mysticism and electricity & magnetism is stunning. Somehow the pyramid-builders understood polarities, magnetic attraction, induction, resistance, frequency and amplitude -- principles they applied in their efforts to influence destiny with the conscious use of mind and heart.

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Changing the World Begins with You

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:26:10 -0800

Social change is a relay race. You do something positive and life-affirming, then pay it forward. Be the change.

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Alpha Brain Waves & Inner Peace

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:25:21 -0800

It is the alpha brain wave level of inner peace that provides conscious access to the subconscious mind. When conjoined, the whole mind is much more intuitive and creative plus it learns faster with far fewer repetitions.

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The Esoteric Meaning of Christmas

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:58:37 -0800

Religious rituals and ceremonies usually reflect several layers of meaning. Here we explore the deeper meaning of a Baby Christ born within each of us -- a Higher Self we must aspire to know and develop.

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Why Bother with Ethics?

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:31:47 -0800

Levels of corruption in American society have become shocking ... an avalanche of temptation, an erosion of society's moral ground.

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The Two Faces of Pride

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:17:29 -0800

We discuss "pride" not only in terms of its excesses, but also as part of a false identity.

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Finding Control in Your Life

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:01:02 -0800

While most people spend their entire lives struggling to control what's being done to them, students of the Ageless Wisdom understand, instead, how to manage perspective and response.

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Your E-Ticket to Paradise

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:35:23 -0800

This Ageless Wisdom Mystery School class features Michael's business partner at FocusedPassion.com, Steve Snyder. As co-hosts of the premium audio program "Finding your SELF in Paradise," Steve & Michael describe their vision of changing the world by unleashing inner peace and accelerated learning.

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Dealing with Depression

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:33:32 -0800

Most emotional depression is the ache that remains when we're emotionally numb. The antidote is to begin to reflect upon, take responsibility for, and more fully understand the hurt and upset in your past.

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Standing on the Verge of Change

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:56:19 -0800

More than a presidential election, more than a swing from Republican to Democratic Administrations, the support for Senator Obama represents a paradigm shift, a cultural shift, a redefining of what it means to be an American.

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Lesson #6: Peak Performance

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:48:00 -0700

Chief among the several points in this lesson is scheduling opportunities to "practice" with new approaches in all areas of your life. If you're always trying to do your best, you leave yourself very little chance to learn and grow.

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Lesson #5: Decision-Making

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:23:37 -0700

This is part 5 of our six-part personal development mini-series FLY (Feeling Like your Self). Here are three techniques for realizing more choices than are immediately apparent.

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Lesson #4: Problem-Solving

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:24:21 -0700

This is lesson #4 of the six-part series "Feeling Like your Self." The two techniques introduced in this webinar are listing goals and visualizing desired results..

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Lesson #3: The Language of Feelings

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:54:24 -0700

This is the third of our six-part series "Feeling Like Yourself" (FLY). As a result of our schooling, we rely on our mental nature while all but ignoring our emotional intelligence. Here's a great introduction to EQ and why it's usually more important to your success than IQ.

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Lesson #2: Healing your Childhood

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:59:47 -0700

Like physical pain, emotional pain is always a symptom of your emotional nature that indicates where healing is needed. The first and biggest challenge in this respect is to accept responsibility for the feelings evoked from you.

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Lesson #1: Self-Love

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:55:30 -0700

This is the first of six webinars in Michael Benner's personal development program "Feeling Like your Self (FLY)." Besides instruction, each of these programs includes a practical guided imagery (meditation & self-hypnosis) exercise for beginners and practitioners alike.

Visit www.FocusedPassion.com or call 818/973-3154 for more information

Habit Control

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:38:39 -0700

Habits are largely unconscious reactions to stress and anxiety. Though somewhat effective at reducing stress, at least temporarily, the negative consequences are severe. Here we describe how effective habit control require the imagination as well as your so-called will power.

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Spiritual Activism

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:38:44 -0700

Great news! You don't need a political ideology to oppose war and torture, capital punishment, extreme poverty and injustice. Your bleeding heart is enough. Learn about the Spiritual Warrior's Shield of Love & Sword of Truth.

Visit www.FocusedPassion.com or call 818/973-3154 for more information

Ageless Spirituality & Modern Religion

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:38:47 -0700

After centuries of persecution by the Church, where do modern philosophers & mystics stand in the comparison of spiritual disciplines and religions? Michael also groups the world's major religions into three distinct types.

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Phobias and Unreasonable Fear

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:38:51 -0700

Phobias and other unreasonable fears are rooted in anxiety. Though many begin with an emotional trauma, others are supported by non-specific or free-floating anxiety. Includes an exercise that eradicates phobias and unreasonable fears.

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Spiritual Government

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:38:54 -0700

Religion provides few descriptive concepts about how the Universe is organized. Here, Michael talks about several models from the Ageless Wisdom traditions.

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Happiness for No Reason

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:38:57 -0700

Young children do not need reasons to be happy and joyful. So what happens to make us conditional about being happy. Why do we with-hold our own happiness to spite others? Michael emphasizes happiness as the way to success, NOT the other way around. Includes guided imagery exercise.

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Loneliness & Solitude

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:39:00 -0700

We can be lonely in a crowd, and we can feel fulfilled when we're alone. Loneliness results from not understanding yourself. As you come to develop self-awareness, you'll find your fulfillment and be your own best friend for life.

Visit www.FocusedPassion.com or call 818/973-3154 for more information

The Secret Law of Attraction

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:19:39 -0700

An examination of the unexplored implications of the Law of Attraction as discussed in the Indy video The Secret (2006). For example, no one exists in isolation, we are all co-creators. The Law works best in meditative states. Your subconscious "Genie," so-called, cannot grant you an unknown solution, desire, or result. What if you don't know what to "wish" for?

Visit www.FocusedPassion.com or call 818/973-3154 for more information

Altered States of Expanded Awareness

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:05:16 -0700

Michael describes several means of stimulating an experience of higher consciousness or expanded awareness -- including psycho-active drugs like LSD, peyote, mescalin, & psilocybin. Also, brain entrainment devices, and various audio recordings of binaural beats. And, most naturally, meditation, prayer and contemplation.

Visit www.FocusedPassion.com or call 818/973-3154 for more information

What is Meditation?

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:07:57 -0700

Overview of the physiological, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of meditation. Also describes the various forms including contemplation, mantra, visualization, etc.

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The Vicious Cycle of Fear & Ignorance

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:38:40 -0700

When you understand that confusion can be a very scary states, you can then imagine how it would result in more anxiety which creates still more confusion ... a vicious cycle of fear & ignorance in which people feel "stuck."

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New! Michael Benner LIVE from Paradise #018

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:12:22 -0700

While good to know others, enlightened people seek primarily to understand themselves..

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New! Michael Benner LIVE from Paradise #017

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:29:16 -0700

There's a joke about a fellow who asks a book store clerk where he can find the "Self Help" books. The clerk says, "Well, I could tell you, but that would defeat the purpose." Here are the titles, authors and descriptions you've been looking for..

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New! Michael Benner LIVE from Paradise #016

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:48:59 -0700

The vast majority of humans in this day and age, see their lives as being done to them, rather than coming from or through themselves. While both are true, great benefits await those who learn to emphasize their ability to consciously choose their attitude and responses..

Visit www.FocusedPassion.com or call 818/973-3154 for more information

New! Michael Benner LIVE from Paradise #015

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:58:35 -0700

Here's an introduction to the basic principles of Emotional Intelligence. Includes information on calming the emotional nature and developing your intuition.

Visit www.FocusedPassion.com or call 818/973-3154 for more information

New! Michael Benner LIVE from Paradise #014

kurt@illuminaryarts.com — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:22:31 -0700