December 17th, 2009Published by:Ted Ollikkala1

Spiritual Chicken

Ted Ollikkala (Spiritual Chicken)Quick Facts

Main Areas: Empowerment, Self-realizationCareer Focus: Author, SpeakerTed Ollikkala developed an intense interest in theprocess of enlightenment and spirituality in 1981 when, at the age of 23 he was exposed to the writingsof Alan Watts, Paramahansa Yogananda, VernonHoward, and Ram Dass, the yoga practices of RichardHittleman, the readings of Edgar Cayce, and PaulBragg’s Miracle of Fasting. An avid traveler, interviewerand photojournalist, he has documented spiritualpractices in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Bali, andSingapore.He has written feature articlesand interviews with Guy Finley, Alan Watt's son(Mark Watts), Progressive rock ArtistPaul Whitehead, Australian musician OrianthiPanagaris, Christian mystic SisterChoo Thomas(Heaven is So Real), Patricia Bragg, Comedian TimSample, and others onTEDUCATION.com(70,374 visitors since 2005).Ted is an avid photographer with more than 4,040,434all time views onFlickr.com/photos/teducationandcontributions to National Wildlife Federation andUNESCO Thailand. A former engineer, early childhoodeducation specialist, nursing assistant, holistic artifactsdealer and communication skills lecturer, Ted brings a wealth of experiences and a unique perspective to his writings on spirituality.He currently lives in Singapore and is the owner andmain contributing author of SpiritualChicken.com

Align the Mind – Gain withoutPain

We all know the battle of the mind vs. the senses… is the tail wagging the dog or did we simply forget to hitch the mule tothe cart? In a sense (pardon the pun),it's the popular themeof mind over matter – a very powerful concept akin to the wordof God (logos) that created the world.Now let's say you have any one of a number of nasty habitsor New Years' resolutions (current or past) that you're keenon disciplining. They could range anywhere from trying to getin a regimented exercise routine, losing weight, stop smokingor eating meat, sexual abstinence or imbibing drugs/alcohol.Notice that time management, procrastination, spendingmore time with the kids, etc. are NOT on the list, becausethese are not bodily functions regulated by the chemistry of the senses.OK, time to get started on this one. The carefully crafted planis ready for action. The body is present, andthe mind is inthedriver's seat. The green flag is waving and all of your friendsare cheering in the grandstand,some of them hoping to makea bit of money off you!To assist in our handicapping, there is a red hot tip fromMahatma Gandhi that no one who is trying self-disciplineshould ever forget. It comes from Gandhi's autobiography,'The story of my experiments with truth' (Chapter 107) whenhe was experimenting with fasting as a means to purify themind:"A mind consciously unclean cannot be cleansed by fasting.Modifications in diet have no effect on it. The concupiscence(strong sexual desire) of the mind cannot be rooted out except by intense self-examination, surrender to God and lastly,grace. But there is an intimate connection between the mindand the body, and carnal mind always lusts for delicacies andluxuries.To obviate this tendency dietetic restrictions and fasting wouldappear to be necessary. The carnal mind, instead of controlling

December 17th, 2009Published by:Ted Ollikkala2

the senses, becomes their slave and therefore the body alwaysneeds clean non-stimulating foods and periodical fasting." What Gandhi is saying here is thus:The mind, without being aligned with the authorization of the Creator (Gandhi was essential non-religious, believing inspirituality rather than any particular organized religion), themind is weak and will be overruled and overpowered by thesenses of the body every time.Changing habits without proper 'mind alignment' is akin totorture and nearly certainly doomed to failure. It takes atremendous amount of self-generated energy (we foolishly callthis 'will power') and anal retentiveness to carry out such aprogram over the body.How much easier all of this would be if only we have theCreator's energy doing the work for us! The same messagecomes across in Christianity from the bible (Matt 11:28-30;NIV) when Jesus says 'For my yoke is easy and my burdenis light' because you can 'cast all your care upon him; for hecareth for you.' (1 Peter 5:7)Effortless change of habits, successful self-restraint, andpractical physical and mental discipline are truly possible forthose spiritually aligned with the energy of the cosmos. If thissounds too good to be true, we need only think how difficult itis for a fish to swim upstream. To 'go with the flow' (if you canidentif y and connect with that flow) is the 'only way to go'.To sum things up: Life lived in the spirit is indeed a breeze.

Ten Spiritual Truths You Didn'tKnow

Unchallenged assumptions in a rational, take it for granted world are extremely dangerous. Yet many of us carry on day by day as if we know-it-all, and like a speed bump in the road(what's that in the road, a head?), sooner or later evasive actionmust be taken to avoid calamity. So watch where you're going, be prepared, and read the scout's code book. Don't leave home without it.Here are ten golden spiritual truths that are hard to argueagainst, but easy enough to experience for yourself. All it takesis a little observation. Be brave. Experiment a little with lifein small ways that don't rock the boat. You will emerge all the wiser and may be able to give someone a 'leg up' someday.1.Women, - of course you're a GODDESS…Do you really need to pay someone to tell you that?2.Of course, - ANGELS are talking to you... You just don't know yet how to listen!3.People, - we're all created from the SAME ENERGY. Were you not aware?4.People, - the body is powered by THE BREATH.Therefore, breathe deeply!5.People, - you cannot live without SINNING…So stop feeling guilty.6.GOD acknowledges you Why not acknowledge Him?7.YOU can be selfishIf you want to…8.Not all PSYCHIC ENERGY is benevolentSome spirits are evil.9.You don't HAVE TO maintain your body But why suffer needlessly?10.You can BLAME…But ultimately you're always at fault.

Staying Spiritually Straight – Correct Use of Tools

Many people these days have are proud to acknowledge thatthey have 'hit the spiritual trail', they've taken up one ormore of the various aspects of modern spirituality which arepopularly available.In these days of open acceptance and general tolerance of alternate spirituality practices, there are any number of people

December 17th, 2009Published by:Ted Ollikkala3

who, at any given time – are switching paths, or adding on new ones in their quest for comfort and closure .

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Comfort: from personal problems; including career,health, and relationships.

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Closure: due to the inability to answer RamanaMaharshi's favourite (supreme) question 'Who am I?',and the Christian failure to account for reincarnation, which results in the uncomfortable theology of eternaldamnation in hell. And there are many experts in spiritual fields who are morethan willing to bring the seeker down their particular branch.Usually, it seems - they charge 'by the footstep' (or by thephone call, private consultation, or speaking engagement). Tomention a few examples, there is the tarot, astrology, auras,channeling, psychiv readings, and various self-empowermenttechniques (hypnosis, ESP, creating abundance, manifestingdreams, etc.) All of these fields are quite valid indeed, and dedicatedpractitioners are able to tap into the ethereal energy andachieve more or less the desired results. Past lives can beknown, as can certain future events, ancestors contacted andcommunicated with, etc. They deserve the fees they charge,as the initiate is not likely to accomplish any of these goals without expert advice.I will call these skills 'spiritual tools'. They are tools thatanyone (with a mind) would seemingly have the potential tolearn to use, given proper technique, diligence, and skill.However, certain persons are born with these innate abilities,such as the psychic abilities (for example, clairvoyance,channeling, prophecy, etc.) or discover them and developthem to a fuller level of expression at some point in theirpresent incarnation. Naturally, these people would seek toshare their ability to use these tools, and generally to make aliving at the same time.Some spiritually gifted people sought out fortune and fame onthis earth, others were uncomfortable with their gifts but wereforewarned that to use them for profit or personal gratification would be illicit.Examples of extraordinary people possessing spiritual giftsinclude saints of the Catholic Church (St. Teresa of Avila),Indian yogis (Paramahansa Yogananda), 'ordinary psychicsand healers' such as Edgar Cayce, Madame Blavatsky, Alice A.Bailey, and best selling authors such as Sylvia Browne and Zak Martin who have been commercially successful.There are a widespread number of people today who claimand demonstrate various psychic and spiritual gifts, tools, orabilities that were previously unknown, uncommon, or quiterare. They are only too happy to take on clients and readersof their books, tapes, etc. whose purpose is to increase wealth,develop psychic ability, control relationships, and so on.But now let us ask the million dollar question. What place dothese 'spiritual tools' have in the sincere seekers' strategy forgetting to the ultimate level, full enlightenment and union withthe creator?It seems to me that as many times as the great yogis and otherenlightened beings have warned about not being distracted by miracles, powers, and spiritual gifts that manifest asone purifies their consciousness through various techniques(meditation, prayer, fasting, devotion, etc.) this is the generalatmosphere that pervades (and perverts) the true essence of spirituality in the new millennium.It's time to set ourselves straight and align once againto the original purpose of the one guiding light, put ourmaterial desires for extraordinary comfort, excessive wealth,and control over others aside – and reach out for directcommunion and a personal relationship with our creator.These spiritual distractions, nuisances and petty trivialities belong in the lower worlds, the temporary material world of maya and the lower astral planes from whence various astralembodiments often seek to dispel their mischief upon mortals.Make proper use of your spiritual gifts to harmonize with thelife force and seek the straight and narrow. Seek ye always toaspire for the highest of the high, the mightiest of the mighty,the eternal and immortal power of love and creation.