Art is youthful hope
Facing an eternity
That already knows
Haiku Meditation #2
Haiku Meditation #1
Hope is a strange flame
Sometimes it can burn without
An actual fire
Excerpts from “Liber Tao” by T.C. Eisele published by Rebel Satori Press 2015
***If you wish to purchase a copy of “Liber Tao” select “Books” on the main menu where there are links to both Amazon and Rebel Satori Press.
From the Introduction
“This book is a love child born from the mingling of the Mystical Traditions of both the West and the East. To illustrate its mixed heritage I have chosen to title this work “Liber Tao,” a pairing of the Latin word Liber or “Book” with the Chinese word Tao or “The Way” whose combined translation, “The Book of the Way,” is a direct reference to the legendary classic of Chinese Mysticism known as the “Tao-Te Ching.
It has been my intention with “Liber Tao” to recreate my own version of the “Tao-Te-Ching.” By “my own version” I do not mean another translation or interpretation of the original masterwork, but rather a brand new effort based on the experiences and insights I have gained while trying to forge my own “Way” in life. In homage to the great Chinese classic I have subsequently organized this current work into the same format and style as the original “Tao-Te-Ching,” namely a collection of 81 entries (none longer than a single page) with each one written in a direct, minimal fashion………….”
“…………..By itself, the term “Tao” represents an idea that is at the center of all Chinese thought. While its most common translation is “ The Way,” conceptually the Tao may also be thought to mean a path, a method, a principle, a doctrine, or even the matrix of universal consciousness. Yet beyond all these possible translations, the Tao is ultimately recognized by the Chinese mind to be the symbolic name for the eternal essence from which all other reality emanates.
Even though it is believed that the true nature of the Tao is beyond human comprehension, ancient Taoists nevertheless endeavored to find traces of the Way in nature, the social world, and also within the individual. As a result, the Chinese feel there is a Tao or Way that represents the purest and most truthful approach to any activity or form of being. The desire to be more in touch with this type of awareness is essentially the driving force behind all evolution, so when the Chinese speak of understanding the Tao, they are essentially referring to the possible bridge that can be forged between our normal daily perceptions and the Intuitive, Divine presence that permeates all life…………”
From the Text
6
The usefulness of a vessel is not how much it can hold
But rather how much it serves
This distinction is subtle, yet forms the root
Of the difference between fear and courage
Fear wants the vessel to always be full
And will hoard in anticipated need
Courage uses the vessel with impunity
Seeing the cycles of emptiness as the way of life
This dynamic is the root of all creativity
And allows the student to see how letting go
Is the first step to acquiring what is necessary
43
When small children are brought to cemeteries
They want to run and play between the headstones
Yet they are scolded and told to respect
Something they do not understand
When small children are brought to churches
The candles, shadows, and echoes, seem like a funhouse
Yet they are scolded and told to respect
Something they do not understand
This is how we all get divided from the Tao
Into the illusory world of this and that
Yet there is room in a cemetery for more than death,
After all, a cemetery is maintained by the living
And there is room in a church for more than piety,
After all, a church is a refuge for the wayward in spirit
Therefore, to reunite ourselves with the Tao
We must remember to sometimes forget
All we’ve been taught to understand
50
When we perceive the world
Without intending to do so
Like a mirror that reflects
Everything it faces
This is called “no mind”
What we think of as “mind”
Is because we discriminate
Between ourselves
And what is around us
This is why the mind is always in conflict
With the world in which it exists
Therefore, just as a mirror can be useful
For expanding the sense of a small room
So too can embracing “no mind” be of use
As a doorway beyond our discrimination
And into the Tao
60
Creativity is how we interact with the unknown
The Tao is how the unknown interacts with us
Thus our consciousness is an alchemical marriage
Of an awareness of form and a formless awareness
When one does not allow this partnership to deteriorate
Through attachment to temporary conditions
This is known as relinquishing the mind
Without abandoning it
62
The Tao allows for every possibility
Yet the mind seeks perfection
Eternity is endless
Yet the mind searches for conclusions
Birth and death are infinitely recurring
Yet the mind forms a sequence
Being and Non-being require each other
Yet the mind retains a preference
It therefore makes perfect sense
Why museums preserve the brains of famous men in jars
It is a way for us to see
The nature of our limitations
71
What are the sounds of wind and rain?
Moving in the heavens, the wind is silent,
Only to be heard when it meets resistance
As it shakes the trees
Or fills our ears
Falling from the heavens, rain is also silent,
Only to be heard when it meets resistance
As it hits the roof
With its steady drumming
Both wind and rain come from silence
Yet are known by how they disturb the silence
Likewise, we come to know ourselves
Only by what we do,
Unaware of what we truly are.
78
Our mind is a flame
And our body is a candle
Yet what remains
When the fire and wax are done?
Such is the essence of the Tao
Excerpts from “Psychic Reading” by T.C. Eisele, published by Rebel Satori Press
Below are a pair of excerpts taken from my new book ,”Psychic Reading,” recently published by Rebel Satori Press.
If you are interested in buying a copy of “Psychic Reading” go to the menu and select “Books,” where links are provided to both Amazon and Rebel Satori Press.
From the Introduction…….
Introduction
The book you are about to read presents the dialogue for a pair of Psychic Readings. While both of these encounters are fictional creations, the material in them is based upon thousands of actual client sessions that I conducted as a Professional Psychic and Astrologer in New York City over a period of more than 17 years.
* * *
What is a Psychic Reading? The act of going to a special individual for spiritual and/or esoteric guidance has existed in one form or another since ancient times and, depending on the cultural setting, could have included activities as varied as making a pilgrimage to the oracle at Delphi in Ancient Greece, consulting a tribal Shaman, or visiting the local Witch on the outskirts of town. Yet regardless of the setting, exactly who are these special people we ask to impart to us their visions and wisdom? In what ways are they different from the rest of us? How do they manage to acquire the insights they are sharing? What does it mean to be Psychic?
The human brain is perhaps the most profound Machine in the Universe, but where do our thoughts come from? We each possess consciousness, but what is our awareness made of? Modern Physiology will tell us that we use only 10% of our brain’s capacity, which would then mean that 90% of our mind’s potential remains dormant within us. If that is the case, then perhaps in the same way that the genetics for an entire tree can exist within a tiny acorn, maybe all the secrets of the universe can also be explained within the untapped portions of the human mind? If this is true, then maybe the Gurus and Psychics we go to for insights are really nothing more than normal people like ourselves who have found a way to activate more than 10% of their innate intelligence? Maybe the late Psychologist and Philosopher Timothy Leary was right when he said, “The Brain is God”?
Clairvoyance, clairaudience, and clairsentience, or the abilities to see, hear, or perceive expanded realities and non-ordinary states of being are among the sorts of powers commonly considered Psychic, yet the relative truth of these experiences are extremely difficult to verify, or even comprehend in terms of conventional understanding. To the general public the popular idea of a Psychic is someone dressed up like a gypsy or a witch who predicts the future using Tarot Cards and a crystal ball. However, if one can manage to put such stereotypes aside the actual truth is that real Psychics, while in possession of one or more of the aforementioned abilities, are also often highly trained individuals in an Esoteric/Occult sense who are capable of offering valuable insights and guidance to those who are in psychological or spiritual crisis.
From “The Second Reading” pages 42-46
READER: What do you do?
TOM: I’m a musician.
READER: Professionally?
TOM: Not exactly.
READER: Oh?
TOM: Well, I’m in a band, but we’re not working right now.
READER: So what do you do to earn a living?
TOM: I’m a bartender.
READER: How’s that going?
TOM: It pays the bills but I’m pretty frustrated with it.
READER: When was the last time your band played a gig?
TOM: About 6 months ago.
READER: Why is that?
TOM: I don’t know, it seems like it’s hard for us to agree on anything.
READER: Are you in a relationship?
TOM: I don’t know.
READER: You don’t know?
TOM: Well, there’s this chick I’ve been seeing… but, I don’t know…
READER: Is there anything right now working out the way you’d like?
TOM: Sure.
READER: What would that be?
TOM: My Spiritual Studies are going well.
READER: Really? What are you studying?
TOM: I’ve been reading about developing my Psychic Abilities, Remote viewing, stuff like that.
READER: Where are you getting your information?
TOM: From an Internet blog by a guy named Beelzebuddy.
READER: Do you find these studies are useful in regards to the other stuff in your life that isn’t working?
TOM: What do you mean?
(The Reader tilts his head like a dog when it’s confused and then reaches over and grabs one of the large books on the table.)
READER: Let’s get to work. What’s your birthday?
TOM: September 1, 1980
(The Reader opens the book and flips through the pages until he finds what he’s looking for. After studying the information in front of him for a few moments he then begins speaking)
READER: Do you know if you were born before or after 12 noon?
TOM: I’m not sure.
READER: All right, don’t guess. Just answer me this…How curious are you, or better yet, how distracted can you get?
TOM: Well, I am interested in a lot of things.
READER: How often do you finish what you start?
TOM: There are some things that I let slide, but then again I can also be pretty responsible….
READER: …..When you have to be, right?
TOM: I guess you could say that.
READER: Have the responsibilities at your job caused you to let your music slide?
TOM: It’s not like I’m obsessed with my job or anything like that. I plan on getting back to playing; it’s just that I’ve gotten really interested in Psychic stuff.
READER: So let me get this straight… you’re working at a job you don’t like, reading about Psychic stuff, and also thinking about getting back to your music?…. I would say you have a Gemini Moon.
TOM: I thought I was a Virgo?
READER: Your Sun is in Virgo, but your Moon is in Gemini. To say you are a Virgo is like saying you’re a man; there were 9 other planets circling in the heavens on the day you were born and each of them represents an archetypal aspect of your character. For instance, Saturn would represent your control issues, Neptune your imagination, the Moon your emotional style, and so on.
(The Reader takes the next few moments to look at the book again before continuing to speak)
You have a Virgo Sun and it squares a Gemini Moon. Both of these signs are ruled by Mercury, which represents communication and information. As a result, you feel an emotional need to have a constantly changing set of circumstances (your Gemini Moon), which you are forever juggling and trying to orchestrate together into some useful pattern (your Virgo Sun).
(Tom leans forward in his seat and stares intently at the reader)
You also have Mars in Scorpio, which is always about power, and that both sextiles your Sun and inconjuncts your Moon. In short these configurations can cause you to oscillate significantly back and forth between ambition and withdrawal, as well as lending a stealth air to how you generally deal with people. In other words, you don’t like people to know what you’re up to and usually keep things on the down low.
TOM: It says all that in the book?
READER: Not necessarily, that’s my interpretation……….any questions?
TOM: Not bad
***If you are interested in buying a copy of “Psychic Reading” go to the menu and select “Books,” where links are provided to both Amazon and Rebel Satori Press.
Phenomena #1
Introduction
Welcome to the first entry of “Phenomena,” a continuing series in which I will share some of the weird and paranormal events that occur in my life, instances that I feel not only challenge my understanding of reality, but also drive me to explore more deeply into the nature of my own consciousness.
Of course I understand that there might be some very unique challenges involved in doing a series of this nature. In the words of the late Robert Anton Wilson, I will effectively be trying to “Screw the inscrutable and eff the ineffable.” Nevertheless, I will do my best to be as truthful as I can and hopefully the initial sense of wonder that motivates me to recount an experience will also come across in the writing. Beyond that I won’t try to kid anyone. Whatever there is to be learned from these reports is something I will probably be trying to figure out along with the reader.
Sincerely, T.C. Eisele
Phenomena #1
As a warm, late afternoon gives way to the approaching shadows of evening, my wife and I are sitting quietly in our backyard and enjoying some wine. She is busy on her laptop and I’m engaged in reading the label on the back of the bottle we’re working on. The description of this wine begins with, “This velvety-smooth black Pinot Noir is reminiscent of the early evening sky, just before darkness settles in.” “How serendipitous,” I think to myself, and then read the description aloud to my wife. “That’s pretty cool,” she replies, giving me a quick smile and then going back to her computer.
The idyllic scene in our backyard is eventually interrupted when my cell phone begins ringing with the eerie, twilight zone-like melody I chose for it. “Who in hell is calling me while I’m trying to relax with my beautiful trophy wife?” I say to no one in particular. After turning to look at me over the tops of her glasses, my wife frowns and sticks out her tongue. “Love you too baby,” I say, as I check to see who is on the phone.
“Why are you calling me?” I ask my wife. She turns away from her computer screen and looks at me. “I didn’t call you.” Without a word I simply hold up the ringing phone so she can see her name on the screen. “Oh my God, that’s so strange. Look, my phone is all the way over there and I haven’t touched it!” Sure enough, when I look over toward where she is pointing, there is my wife’s phone, out of reach on the other side of the table. At that moment my phone stops ringing and for the next few seconds we both just sit there and look at one another.
My wife then stands up and reaches for her phone.
“If you were you thinking of me that might have been what set off your phone?’ I say to her, trying to add some levity to the atmosphere of weirdness that has now descended.
After checking her phone, my wife shakes her head and remarks, “How is this possible? There is no record of any call to you.” Now I’m curious, so I go back to search in my phone and to my amazement there is no record that my wife had just called!
By this time the birds have flown away and the night is spread out over the surrounding yards like a cool, dark bed sheet. As the lights start to come on in the surrounding houses, my wife and I begin gathering our things to go inside. Once my wife is in the house, I stand there alone under the starry sky and softly recite to myself;
“Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.”
Indeed.