by Lyrea Ananta Crawford

This article is about what most people view as nothing. It isn’t about metaphysical phenomena, a new religion, psychic powers or a way to manifest abundance in your life. It is simply about accessing the usually ignored space between the events, thoughts, and objects that make up our experience of the world. A calm, balanced, peaceful way of being waits in that space for those who are willing to focus attention there.

So many people are looking for enlightenment in so many ways. And we hear it said repeatedly that enlightenment can be found within. But if it is there, how do we find it in the midst of our often stressful lives? Researchers estimate that we think 50,000 to 60,000 thoughts a day. These thoughts could be compared to constantly throwing handfuls of pebbles into an otherwise clear pond. The pond’s surface becomes rough and disturbed, and the waters are muddied. Similarly, if the mind is constantly dealing with a barrage of chaotic thought, it becomes difficult to see into its depths. So many of our thoughts are repetitive patterns - unwanted, self-destructive beliefs and tenacious thought habits that cloud our experience.

Is it possible to balance and calm all this extraneous activity of the mind? Meditation and withdrawal from daily life are often suggested. The problem is that our ingrained thought patterns still come with us, even when we physically withdraw. These were my frustrations. For many years I found it very difficult to still the constant chatter in my mind. I was driven by a desire for spiritual growth, but found meditating to be a challenge. Whatever precious peace I found in meditation or retreats was often shattered as soon as I re-entered my usual life situations. Then in 1996, I discovered a set of meditative techniques called "The Ishayas’ Ascension," which I now teach. My life is very different than it used to be, but perhaps the biggest change is that I have learned to still my mind and find the underlying peace and clarity. A major advantage of the Ishayas’ Ascension system is that the techniques are designed to be used not only as a closed-eyed meditation, but also with the eyes open at any time during the day when one needs to return to a state of balance. This has made a huge difference in my life!

The Ishayas’ Ascension techniques are tailored by each individual, using a formula that coordinates function in the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This draws the mind inward, providing experiences of pure stillness that catalyze a natural cleansing and harmonizing process. The accumulated debris of old thought patterns are gently released, freeing the individual to live more fully and clearly in the present moment. It has been my experience that the resulting serenity is not easily interrupted or shaken by the stresses of everyday life.

As children, we are taught by our life experiences to direct our attention outward in order to experience the life around us. As we grow older, we also learn to think abstractly about things that are beyond our direct environment, but moving inward is not often emphasized. Yet we are already familiar with this inward movement. It is so natural that the mind often slips into this mode on its own. In these moments we feel worry and fear slip away, and we feel supremely peaceful and happy. These are our insightful and creative moments - those times when things just seem to flow with great synchronicity. The brain has slipped into a coherent brain wave pattern at these times that can be scientifically measured. Like coherent laser light waves which function more powerfully and precisely than the light waves from an incandescent bulb, coherent brain function brings order and efficiency to our systems.

The Ishayas’ Ascension utilizes the concepts of praise, gratitude, and love to enliven the coherent function of the brain. It is not a religious teaching, and no belief is required to use this very effective set of tools. The name "Ascension" emphasizes the possibility of "ascending" or rising beyond stress and self-limiting beliefs. Ascension does not require special preparations or postures, and as was mentioned earlier, the techniques can even be practiced in daily situations with the eyes open to maintain balance and clarity. As stress is systematically released through the regular practice of Ascension, the body’s natural healing tendencies are activated, and latent creative talents may begin to manifest. Many people find that they work more efficiently and need less sleep.

And what about "enlightenment?" I now believe that enlightenment is really about being so present and alert that you perceive what is usually ignored. As I said at the beginning, this article is really about what most people view as nothing. The Ishayas’ Ascension techniques themselves are deceptively simple. Often the peacefulness and quiet that is accessed seems unspectacular.

However, if the mind is quiet and receptive, there is opportunity for direct contact with the Divine. There is the possibility of real experience of the depths of your being - not what you read or what someone told you. Real experience. This is what I desired, and this is what I have found. It is quieter, subtler and gentler than I expected, but my life has changed. My husband, Randy, recently said, "Consciousness rises only as high as the arrow of focus is aimed." Wherever your path is leading you, and whether or not you ever explore Ascension, I would ask you to consider this: How high is your arrow of focus aimed? And what are you ignoring along the way?

Lyrea Ananta Crawford lives in southwestern Wisconsin, and travels as needed throughout the Midwest to teach the Ishayas’ Ascension. Lyrea also teaches Wu Style T'ai Chi, Therapeutic Yoga, Reiki, and Traditional Thai Massage.

Free Introductory Dialogs:
Come on Friday evening for the first hour of any First Sphere class to learn more about the Ishayas' Ascension. No Charge - no obligation.  However we would appreciate knowing ahead of time that you are coming. Please call or email to let us know.

Thursday, February 19, 2009, 7 PM at Body in Balance, 6333 Odana Road, in the Olde Towne Office Park, Madison, WI, 53719. For directions and local information, call Sandra at (608) 270-5212.

Friday, March 6, 2009, 7 PM at Body in Balance, 6333 Odana Road, in the Olde Towne Office Park, Madison, WI, 53719. For directions and local information, call Sandra at (608) 270-5212.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 7 PM at 930 17th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904. For info call Char at (507) 289-0720.

Friday, April 17, 2009, 7 PM at 930 17th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904. For info call Char at (507) 289-0720.

Please contact Lyrea at (608) 549-2023 for additional information on any of these events, or click here to send an email.