INCENTRE

Grace Hui for Incentre

In the evolution of humanity, structured language is relatively new, developed as humans formed societies and as different societies grew, language evolved and differentiated from tribe to tribe. But what connects us as humans in common? What transcends language to unify us?

This is where sacred geometry - a system as old as life itself steps in as the bridge that holds the fabric of humanity and life together. It is no wonder that ancient monuments that range from the famed pyramids in Egypt to the splendour of Machu Picchu all utilise the basic shapes of sacred geometry to withstand the passing of time. These monuments span centuries and geography and were constructed way before the advent of modern technology. Their craftsmen have likely never met or had a physical conversation but yet, similar ideas were utilised.

Clearly, the master builders had a deep understanding of something that transcends time or language - they understood the divine blueprint of life.

Life is a miracle that continues to inspire humanity and as we cradle a newborn baby or look into the eyes of a loved one, it is impossible not to feel a touch of the divine.

The mystery school traditions teach that we are all divine beings. In the density of life on this earth, many of us have forgotten our own divinity. Working with the sacred geometries helps us to reawaken the divine in all humans so that we can all be empowered to lead the lives that we were meant to lead.

The basic shapes of Sacred Geometry, upon which longer and more intricate symbols and sequences are formed have a profound but yet simple effect on us. They cut across the complications of the human mind and reconnect us to our higher selves. Put it another way - it shuts out the noise and the drama of day-to-day human mundanity and brings us back up to who we truly are - divine.

By Tanmaya George and Grace Hui for Incentre

There is a simple test to identify if we are attached to something. Ask yourself: am I willing to let go of this habit, this thought pattern, this belief system, this person, this relationship temporarily? And set a time: e.g. for 3 months. Tell yourself that you are able to pick the habit, thought pattern, belief system up again after this period of time. The level of resistance you feel to making that temporary adjustment will be a good indicator of your level of attachment.

Attachment can often be confused for love and in some ways, there are similarities in how both of these manifest. The intentions and the results of these expressions are however very different.

When one is “attached”, one has preconceived expectations of an outcome – so much so that if that outcome does not materialise, our inner peace is affected. We may find ourselves overwhelmed with disappointment, unable to move forward. Sometimes, we blame the others of whom we had those expectations of and get immensely hurt as a result. The hurt could fester if undealt with, leading to a whole host of other issues.

We could also be “attached” to how we see ourselves or how we wish others to see us. We may do certain things in order to keep that label alive and end up feeling resentful if others do not perceive our actions the same way. We could also feel resentful at having to take such actions just to keep the “image” alive because we never wanted to do them in the first place. For instance, society may have programmed us to be “nice”. But what does “nice” actually mean? We run around doing things for people thinking that we are being “nice”.

But, are we?

“Nice” often just means inoffensive. Someone thinks we are “nice” because we haven’t said or done anything that has triggered them. But have we actually done “good” by them? Sometimes, the tasks or dramas that we have taken on were never for us to take on. By doing them to be “nice” we may have inadvertently slowed down the progression of another. But, we did it because we didn’t want them to “not like us”. So has this attachment to “niceness” actually served anyone? Not us because we never wanted to do it in the first place. And certainly not them because it was always something that they needed to do for themselves.

Doing real good can at times be offensive and confronting while being “nice” can be the real evil. Yet, these two terms have become blurred as a result of our attachment to image and being liked. Sometimes, being nice and being good can be complementary while at other times, not. To make the right choices, we have to exercise discernment, something that can only come by truly knowing ourselves and letting go of attachment.

Sometimes, there is also an attachment to a particular status quo – to a career, to a lifestyle etc. Things are comfortable and we expend inordinate amounts of time and energy to maintain things as they are even though it goes against nature which is never static. It is an immutable fact that things are constantly changing. Nothing ever stays still as energy is always moving. So, our attachment to the status quo could be causing us to be fighting a losing battle against the very fabric of nature. We find ourselves exhausted, having spent all our time fighting the inevitable. Would the energy not have been better spent accepting change, recognising what is it about the change that triggered us, and healing from what is causing us to fear the change?

Of course, shedding our attachments is much easier said than done and it will take time, dedication and practice to get less attached. However, with our awareness, our understanding of what attachments are, followed by actions taken to work on these things will reap rewards for all of humanity.

Often the attachment is a form of survival mechanism. A way of staying safe. However, once we face the underlying fear and move through it we realise that on the other side is freedom to express and live life more in alignment with who we are.

Grace Hui for Incentre

Spiritual Ego?

In my own path of progression, I have definitely fallen into the trap of not feeling worthy of sharing the tools that I have been so privileged to have been handed down with others because I have been so enmeshed in the stresses of life. In those times, I have desperately wished those pains away instead of using the tools and trusting the process. By believing that I cannot share my light if there are unresolved ongoing problems in my life is an illusion created by my ego and realising this has been illuminating in my own growth. 

Everyone has problems and no one is perfect. As Sovereign Ipsisimus Dave Lanyon of the Modern Mystery School so aptly says : “You are not perfect the way you are”, going on to explain that no one is perfect and that the only time we are perfect is when we are seeking perfection. This is not meant to be a criticism or a put down. Rather, it is about seeing and accepting reality for what it is. Human beings are not perfect but we can always improve and if we stay in the illusion that imperfection is somehow an impediment to service or growth is what ironically stops our growth. 

It is our imperfection and our ability to accept this and to grow from it that is genuine progression. 

I was under the impression that ego was about showing off and believing that one was better than another. Upon realising that inherent feelings of unworthiness are also a part of my ego too was the most liberating self-awareness. 

If I am unable to serve because I am imperfect, then no one can because guess what? No one is perfect! Serving through imperfection and accepting my imperfections while trusting the process and improving is how we transcend the present pain. 

By hiding, I am serving no one, least of all myself. By believing that I couldn’t serve because I had problems, I was remaining stuck in my pain (which could lead to suffering).

In pretending and therefore repressing pain is what leads to suffering. In hiding in the pain, I was becoming attached to it instead of releasing it which in turn causes suffering!

Grace Hui for Incentre

Responsibility is a very big part of exercising genuine self care. Essentially, self care is not always going to be a “feel good” event. Rather, it is a practice premised on taking the actions based on truly knowing yourself even if it may be uncomfortable or unpleasant in that moment. 

What has been left off the catchy memes online is that often, self care requires us to take the necessary actions even if painful in that moment so that we will not have future suffering. In other words, self care requires us to truly get to know ourselves so that we are always taking the required steps for our progression.

For example, one may not enjoy organising their taxes and after a full week at work, it might feel like self care to simply watch TV mindlessly instead of spending an extra hour to ensure that all of our tax statements are accurately recorded and/or filed. However, not being meticulous about our tax statements will lead to needless panic and stress further down the road and in hindsight, it would have been much better to have spent that extra hour.

Genuine self care is therefore the self awareness to take the actions required to prevent future pain. Self care can often require discipline even if it is can often be marketed as “do whatever you want because you feel like it”.

Grace Hui for Incentre

Innovations in AI such as chatgpt are wonderful tools that can help us get to where we need to be. But, we first need to know where we want to be and we can’t truly know that unless we truly know ourselves.

The advent of modern technology, especially innovations related to or associated with computers and devices have revolutionalised the way we communicate. We are able to reach a far larger audience within a much shorter time frame. While this is mostly a boon, it is also imperative that we are able to make the technology work for us as opposed to being ruled by it. Technology is an amazing tool but it cannot be our master because it does not have the same discernment that we humans are supposed to have and exercise. This is even more important with the development of Artificial Intelligence or “AI”.

It is fair to say that advancements in AI has come along in leaps and bounds since its inception. So much so that some research has shown that it can replicate human behaviour and actions convincingly. With Chatgpt becoming more widely used, the possibility of some jobs being replaced by AI is becoming more likely.

But can AI really replace humans?

And, how do we find our place in a world that has human-like AI?

More importantly, how do we navigate our spiritual path in the face of AI that seems human?

By Grace Hui for Incentre

“As within so without, as above so below”. This ancient hermetic principle teaches us that we create our outer reality based on our inner states. The Kabbalah allows us to transform within so we can create what we desire in the world.

Kabbalah literally means “to receive”. By asking a series of powerful questions and using our desire to transform, we can transmute the inner obstacles that stand in our way. This beautiful alchemical process is facilitated by the “container” the tree of life provides, which in turn, teaches us how to receive by accessing our inner wisdom.

A journey well worth embarking.

Grace Hui for Incentre

The Moon is not static and moves through cycles that last approximately 29,5 days each. Each cycle encompasses a journey, a beginning, and an end. At each phase of the lunar cycle, the moon casts its magick over the earth. 

While there is much literature on the full moon, there is a bit less written about the new moon and the powers that this cycle of the moon wields.

What is a New Moon?

The New Moon is when the Sun and Moon are aligned, with the Sun and Earth on opposite sides of the Moon. Unlike the Full Moon, the New Moon is seldom visible to the naked eye. A solar eclipse is the only exception to this when we can observe the New Moon without any scientific equipment. However, this does not mean that we cannot feel or observe the powers of the New Moon.

The greatest difference between high and low tides is around both New Moon and the Full Moon During these Moon phases, the Moon and the Sun's gravitational forces combine to push the ocean’s water in the same direction. 

So, even though we may not be able to perceive the New Moon with our naked eye, her energy is still very much palpable and we can still work with those powers.

Grace Hui for Incentre

The full moon is a magickal time when the moonlight is the strongest, illuminating the night.  The magnetic power of the full moon moves the waters of even the greatest ocean.  Such is the power of Lady Lunar. Humans are made up of mostly water and as such, the power of the moon has a profound impact on us. 

It is no happenstance that the moon and its cycles have played a huge part in the lives of humanity since the beginning of time. Across the world, many traditions have honoured the moon and her cycles with rituals and celebrations, acknowledging the huge role that the glorious and enigmatic moon plays in human life and evolution.

Full moons are symbolic of unity, manifestation and completion — nature’s expression of humanity’s oneness with the earth’s timeless and essential rotation around the sun. 

Grace Hui for Incentre

The term “Astral Travel” conjures up all manner of speculation these days. To some, the idea of astral travelling sounds like a spellbinding curiosity. To others, it is considered “out there” where it is imagined that a group of people wearing hemp get out their tin foiled hats. Yet others associate astral travelling with psychedelics. There are also those who look at this with fear. 

“Is it safe?” “Will I get stuck there” are some of the questions that are asked. 

So while astral travelling is a concept that has gone somewhat mainstream, what it truly is, is still at often times misunderstood.

So, What exactly is Astral Travel?

Grace Hui for Incentre

Since the days of yore, there have always been stories and legends of other beings who share this world with us. From folklore that has been passed down the generations to the personal experiences of others, these magickal beings have made their presence known in subtle ways and sometimes, not-so-subtle ways!

In our modern way of life, these tales have been dismissed as superstition or the product of a vivid imagination. Some who may have had encounters with these beings may have also chosen to keep these experiences to themselves for fear of being made fun of. As such, these magnificent beings have been relegated to the stuff of fairy tales for children.

Yet, despite all of humanity’s misgivings, these magical beings continue to leave an imprint. In popular culture, they have appeared on the silver screen and also on TV series. In fact, some of our most successful television programmes are premised on the very beings that we have chosen to consign to fantasy.

Yet, is it really true that these wondrous creatures are but only the product of the mind? Is it a coincidence that they continually make their appearance in popular culture? Why do we play dress-up on Halloween? Why are we continually drawn to these beings despite the so-called “logical mind” insisting that they are not real?