About Taheera 

When did you first experience awakening?

 

My initial awakening occurred when I was around 7 or 8 years old. In a dream, my Higher Self revealed to me that the reality I was living was merely a dream, and my purpose was to awaken from it. Although I couldn't express it at the time, this revelation sparked my fascination with God, the cosmos, death, nature, and my own consciousness. I began observing my own thoughts and the consciousness of others, documenting my inquiries in journals. From that point on, I understood that my existence in this world was part of a training to awaken, which still guides my approach to life.

 

Have you ever encountered the darker side of awakening? If so, when was it?

 

In order to comprehend the alchemy of the interconnectedness between the higher and lower realms and the dualities of existence, we must all face the darker aspects of awakening. For me, this phase occurred around the age of 21 when I worked as an Exotic Dancer to support myself through college. During this time, I gained profound insights into the manipulation of sexual energy, the worship of money as a deity, and the power of distorted Kundalini energy.

 

How did you transition out of that phase?

 

Throughout my time in that world, I was aware that I needed to experience it in order to gain understanding. As I mentioned earlier, I saw my existence as part of a training, which influenced my approach. Eventually, I reached a point where I fully comprehended the lessons I needed to learn from that phase. Continuing to stay in that environment would have only perpetuated unnecessary cycles of lessons, so I made the decision to leave one day.

 

It seems like you experienced a lot of trauma. How did you heal from it?

 

Contrary to popular belief, my experiences were not as traumatic as people might think. I possessed a certain level of discernment, but there were psychological narratives that required healing. This is where my journey with meditation began. Before leaving the industry, a fellow Exotic Dancer gifted me a book called "Diamond Mind: A Psychology of Meditation" by Rob Narin, which I interpreted as a sign. This book served as a simple guide to meditation and taught me about the importance of accepting and observing our experiences without detaching ourselves. This newfound understanding led to another awakening, prompting me to delve into yoga practice and be open to meeting spiritual mentors. 

 

Can you describe that particular experience?

 

Prior to this experience, I had been meditating daily for quite some time. What I witnessed was a vision of a throne surrounded by various entities undergoing constant morphing. It became clear to me that the throne represented my consciousness, and I realized that I was allowing these entities, or stories, to control me instead of sitting on my own throne. In the vision, I approached these entities, attempting to find a way to remove them. It was then that the concept of acceptance came to me, and all the entities dissolved into me. Finally, I was able to sit on my throne. I then gently dissolved into light, as if transforming into the fiery energy of the sun, and felt an elevation throughout my entire being. Years later, I discovered that this process aligned with the alchemical transformation of the spiritual journey, involving the burning away of ego and attachment. As the ego dissolves, we undergo a death of our former selves, leading to the nigredo, or blackening, which marks the initial stage of transformation in alchemy.

 

Are you suggesting that there are multiple awakenings?

 

I would say that there are numerous levels within the awakening process, leading up to the final stage of spiritual transformation. The ascent of Kundalini energy to the crown chakra and the formation of the Philosopher's Stone, as described in Hermeticism, are deeply intertwined symbolically and energetically. This progression mirrors the Kundalini energy rising through the chakras, each representing a step in the purification process, until it reaches the crown chakra, Sahasrara. At this point, individual consciousness merges with universal consciousness, transcending the duality of existence. This is where the Shaman, Sage, or Guru resides. It is both a great responsibility and an immense gift. For those on a spiritual quest, seeking guidance from a Master Teacher is essential, as their presence alone and the wisdom, tools, and knowledge they share serve as activations for the seeker to fully awaken and return to their center.

 

Is it truly possible to achieve this state?

 

Yes, it is indeed possible to achieve this state. For those who are on a spiritual quest, it becomes an intuitive mission to attain the highest level within themselves. While one may experience different levels of consciousness through their spiritual journey or plant medicine ceremonies, the ultimate goal is to maintain equilibrium within oneself, merging individual consciousness with universal consciousness and surpassing the duality of existence.

 

Are you perhaps a shaman or guru?

 

Titles such as Shaman, Sage, or Guru are mere labels that attempt to capture the essence of beings whose roles go beyond language. These guides, these luminous beings, do not hold onto titles, as their work is not driven by the ego but by the spirit. They are vessels of the divine, channels through which cosmic wisdom flows. Identifying with such titles would limit their boundless existence to human constructs. We must look beyond appearances and truly know ourselves, embodying the journey of self-discovery and leading by example.

 

The Shaman dances with spirits, the Sage radiates insight, and the Guru lights the path to the divine. Yet, they do not declare themselves as such, as their truest name is whispered in the silence of the heart, heard only by those attuned to the subtleties of the spirit.

 

How can one distinguish a genuine spiritual guide from those who claim such titles?

 

In the search for a true spiritual guide amidst many who claim such titles, one must look beyond superficial labels and proclamations. A genuine guide is akin to the ancient Oracle of Delphi, a conduit for divine wisdom who seeks no personal gain. They embody the virtues they advocate, living as an example of the path they espouse.

 

To recognize such a guide, observe their actions, for they communicate the language of the soul more fluently than words. A true spiritual teacher does not seek to bind you to their persona but rather empowers you to cultivate your inner wisdom. They are like a gardener nurturing the growth of your spirit, not an architect dictating the confines of their own beliefs.

 

As the sage Patanjali elucidated in the Yoga Sutras, signs of progress in spiritual practice include clarity, joy, inner tranquility, and an unwavering connection to the divine. Seek these qualities in a guide, as they signify one who has transcended ego and resides in the realm of Spirit.

 

Remember, the true guru is not found amid the noise of the marketplace but in the quiet spaces of the heart, where the spirit whispers its profound secrets. Trust the resonance you feel when truth is spoken, for it aligns with the core of your being.