Tag: Spiritual and writing retreat

Chaldean Mysticism and Universal Wisdom

by Weam Namou, posted in chaldeans, Communication, community, Consciousness, Spirituality, writing

In a world that often equates opulence with material wealth, it is essential to remember that true opulence transcends the physical. It is about the richness of our connection to the divine, the depth of our understanding of universal laws, and the ability to live in harmony with the sacred forces that govern existence. As a Chaldean, I am deeply inspired by the ancient wisdom of my ancestors, who were renowned as astrologers, astronomers, mathematicians, and magicians. Their knowledge was not merely intellectual—it was soulful, mystical, and transformative.

The Legacy of Chaldean Wisdom

The Chaldeans, also known as the Neo-Babylonians, were pioneers in understanding the mathematical and cosmic principles that underpin the universe. According to Rhonda Byrne in The Secret, “The ancient Babylonians and their great prosperity have been well documented by scholars. They are also known for creating one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Through their understanding and application of the laws of the Universe, they became one of the wealthiest races in history.”

This profound legacy speaks to the Chaldean mastery of universal laws, which they saw not as abstract concepts but as living truths that could be applied to every aspect of life. They understood the sacred geometry of the cosmos, the rhythms of the stars, and the balance of energies that govern existence. Their wisdom was both scientific and spiritual, rooted in a deep reverence for the divine order.

Spiritual Opulence: A Modern Perspective

My teacher, Lynn V. Andrews, often spoke about “spiritual opulence,” a state where sacred wisdom becomes accessible to everyone, inviting us to connect deeply with the divine—however we define it. She described this era as the “time of the magical eye,” a moment in history when the veil between the physical and the spiritual is thinner than ever. In this time, nothing stands between us and the Great Spirit, God, Goddess, or the creative source of all beauty and abundance.

Spiritual opulence is about tapping into this divine connection and allowing it to transform every facet of our lives. It is not limited to religious practices or rituals; it is a way of being that integrates the mystical with the mundane. It is seeing the sacred in the ordinary and recognizing that the same universal laws that govern the stars also govern our thoughts, actions, and relationships.

The Science of Mysticism: Chaldean Contributions to Modern Understanding

The Chaldeans’ contributions to science and mysticism are a testament to their understanding of the universe as a unified whole. Their advancements in mathematics and astronomy were not separate from their spiritual practices; they were tools for understanding the divine order. For example:

  • Astrology and Astronomy: The Chaldeans were among the first to map the heavens, recognizing the influence of celestial bodies on earthly events. They saw astrology not as superstition but as a science that revealed the interconnectedness of the cosmos.
  • Mathematics: Chaldean mathematicians developed sophisticated systems for measuring time and space, including the 360-degree circle and the concept of zero. These innovations were rooted in their understanding of balance and harmony, principles that are essential to both mathematics and spirituality.
  • Magic and Mysticism: For the Chaldeans, magic was not about illusions or tricks—it was the art of aligning oneself with universal laws to manifest desired outcomes. This mystical practice was grounded in their deep knowledge of energy, intention, and the power of the human mind.

These ancient teachings remain profoundly relevant today. They remind us that the universe operates according to principles that are both scientific and spiritual, and that by understanding and applying these principles, we can create lives of abundance, harmony, and purpose.

An Invitation to Reflect and Connect

As I prepare to lead a retreat inspired by Lynn V. Andrews’ teachings and my Chaldean heritage, I invite you to reflect on the concept of spiritual opulence. Ask yourself:

✨ What does “spiritual opulence” mean to you?
✨ How do you experience connection with the divine in your daily life?
✨ What ancient wisdom or personal practices help you align with the universal laws of abundance and harmony?

This retreat is an opportunity to explore these questions together, blending the mystical teachings of my ancestors with the sacred wisdom of modern spirituality. It is a chance to step into the “time of the magical eye,” where nothing stands between us and the divine, and where we can co-create lives of beauty, creativity, and sacred abundance.

Let’s continue this journey of discovery, honoring the wisdom of the past while embracing the possibilities of the present. Together, we can embody the true meaning of spiritual opulence and align ourselves with the infinite potential of the universe.

💖 I look forward to exploring this sacred path with you. Click here to learn more!

Interview with USA Today Bestselling Author

by Weam Namou, posted in community, Consciousness, Spirituality, writing

Janel Gradowski is a USA Today and Amazon #1 bestselling author who emailed me earlier this year inquiring about the Path of Consciousness spiritual and writing retreat. Checking out her website, I was impressed by her accomplishments and immediately drawn to all seven of her book covers. They portray a smart, strong and unique woman who is creative in many ways and places, including in the kitchen.

“My book covers always hint at what will happen in the story,” she later told me. “It could be the culinary competition that my main character, Amy, is competing in or events that are happening in her life. Since it’s a cozy mystery series, there’s also a skull and crossbones included somewhere on every cover. I love that my cover artist, Lyndsey Lewellen, always does a good job in conveying Amy’s confidence and creativity.”

Janel and I have several similarities: we care how women are portrayed in our books and on the book covers; we are both prolific writers; coffee is an integral part of her writing process; exploring new places and going on culinary adventures are a few of the passions that fuel our creativity.

Beyond her culinary mystery series, Janel has also had many flash fiction stories, her first writing love, published both online and in print. Her next book will be in the women’s fiction genre. The main character is a solo entrepreneur who has worked so hard to establish herself in the business world that the rest of her life has fallen apart.

“The new story will detail how the main character will go from living only for her work to enjoying her life again,” Janel said. “I think it’s something that a lot of women can relate to, putting ourselves last in order to help everyone else.”

I definitely can relate to that. In my four-part memoir series, Healing Wisdom for a Wounded World: My Life-Changing Journey Through a Shamanic School, I share how hard I worked on myself to establish boundaries, follow my dreams, and allow myself self-care.

After a few months of emails, I met Janel in person at the spiritual and writing retreat. We connected on a deeper level. Within a matter of three weeks, we saw each other several times even though the drive to my side of town is some 90 minutes. One reason is that, outside of writing, we have a love and appreciation for a lot of similar things. In our last gathering, we barely discussed writing and yet we had a great time because, after all, there’s more to life than writing. There’s life!

I’ve often advised emerging writers that, along the writing journey, it’s important that they keep their priorities straight and have a balance rather than obsess over their writing. What’s the use of having a great book if you have a lousy life? These days especially, having a great life can easily translate into a great book.

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At the Path of Consciousness spiritual and writing retreat

Janel lives in rural central Michigan surrounded by farm fields and wildlife, a community that has a yearly Corn Festival. Her family consists of her husband, a son, and a daughter. She has a plant named Hitch. She followed her intuition, started her writing career later in life but easily succeeded. She’s into things like energy healing, aromatherapy, malas, mantras, journaling, law of attraction, manifesting, energy crystals and smudging. She loves that her hair is turning gray, says that “Silver hair rocks!” and her favorite quote is by George Eliot: “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

Given her personality and involvement in spiritual work, Janel and I evidently also have many similar beliefs. Janel believes that the right thing to do is not always the easiest; the more one uses their intuition, the stronger it becomes; a person is in charge of the vibes that he/she projects into the world; we get what we focus on – thoughts become reality. And my favorite belief of hers – which I learned through my shamanic apprenticeship and which I’ve been teaching for years now – is “When I change the stories I tell myself about my life, I change how I live my life.”

http://www.janelgradowski.com