Peratae (Latin) Peratai (Greek) One of the Gnostic bodies or associations, the Naaseni or Ophites, the "Serpent Gnostics," so called because of the mystical prominence of the serpent symbol in their rites and observances.

This Gnostic body is said by scholars to have been founded by Euphrates, who possessed wide astrological knowledge, and because of the teachings which his school followed were they named Peratai -- wanderers, i.e., on this earth of trial and tribulation; or "those of the other side," signifying individuals who regarded themselves as merely wanderers or pilgrims in regions far from their native home, the spirit.

Among other ideas, they held that the celestial bodies in a person's horoscope are the instruments of destiny or karma, which because of causes engendered in other lives bring the individuals to birth on this earth under the destined yoke marked in the celestial spaces by the sun, moon, and planets; and in order to protect themselves from the malignant influence of the genii of the planets they wore serpent sigils or talismans.

C. W. King states that the Ophites were the descendants of the Bacchic Mystae, basing this on the fact that coins of the period bear the Bacchic serpent, which is represented as raising himself out of the sacred coffer, while the reverse side of the coin shows two serpents entwined around torches (Gnostics and Their Remains 225).

(See also: Peratae, Peratai , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Lipika (Sanskrit) (from the verbal root lip to write)

A scribe; divine beings connected with karma, recorders who impress on the astral light a record of every act and thought, great or small, in the phenomenal universe. The lipika are active cosmic karmic intelligences, the highest class of architects, which lay down from manvantara to manvantara the tracks of karmic evolution to be followed by all evolving entities within the manvantara about to begin; and these tracks are rigidly begun, and their direction controlled, by the endpoint of the paths of karmic achievement in the preceding manvantara.

They "project into objectivity from the passive Universal Mind the ideal plan of the universe, upon which the 'Builders' reconstruct the Kosmos after every Pralaya, . . . it is they who are the direct amanuenses of the Eternal Ideation -- or, as called by Plato, the 'Divine Thought' " (SD 1:104). The lipika thus are in every sense the agents of karmic destiny, for they are both the vehicles of divine ideation in their work, and yet the expressions of karmic law arising in the past and projected on the background of the future. Their intelligence and vitality permeate their particular universe and all the beings in it, so that the lipikas are stamped with whatever takes place.

The lipikas are among the very highest classes of dhyani-chohans or cosmic spirits in the universe; as entities, they may be thought of as acting from the highest plane of our chain of globes. In a sense they connect, karmically, the planes of pure spirit with those of matter, the cosmically vast with the manifested. These recorders of and in the karmic ledger of the solar system mark the distinctive barrier between the personal ego and the impersonal self, which latter is the noumenon and parent-source of the former. Hence the allegory that they circumscribe the manifested world of matter within the Ring-pass-not -- a mystical way of saying that they karmically circumscribe the limits of manifestation of the worlds of matter within the limits of karmic achievement for the evolving beings, and these limits form the Ring-pass-not.

Because of their lofty position, they are identified with the universal intelligence, as its immediate vehicles or channels. Thus they are not only the channels but the imbodiments of karma, and therefore not only the interpreters or agents of karma, but the recorders or scribes upwards into cosmic ideation of whatever takes place on lower planes. Their function is thus dual: imbodiments, channels, or interpreters of karma to be worked out in the universe in which the lipikas function, and thus agents of cosmic ideation; and second, as the scribes or recorders of the innumerably multitudinous karmic records of the beings below themselves.

The lipikas correspond to the Egyptian forty Assessors of Amenti, to the four Recording Angels of the Qabbalah, the Hindu four Maharajas and chitra-gupta, the Christian seven Angels of the Presence, and to the Book of Life of Revelations. They are directly connected with karma, with the Day of Judgment, or the Day-Be-With-Us, when everything becomes one, all individualities becoming one, yet each knowing itself.

(See also: Lipika , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

dharma: (Sanskrit) "Righteousness." From dhri, "to sustain; carry, hold."

Hence dharma is "that which contains or upholds the cosmos." Dharma, religion, is a complex and all-inclusive term with many meanings, including: divine law, law of being, way of righteousness, religion, ethics, duty, responsibility, virtue, justice, goodness and truth. Essentially, dharma is the orderly fulfillment of an inherent nature or destiny. Relating to the soul, it is the mode of conduct most conducive to spiritual advancement, the right and righteous path.

(See also: Dharma , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

A Christian theological definition of Prophet according to CARM - The Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry:

"

Prophet

See also: Prophet , Christianity, Body Mind and Soul

The 'soul' metaphysics in Jainism has a very interesting colour-coded concept called the Lesya . According to Jainism, Lesya is determined by the adherence of karmic matter to the jiva or soul, resulting from both good and bad actions. This adherence is compared to the way in which particles of dust adhere to a body smeared with oil.

Read more here: » Jainism: Lesya - Jaina Theory Of Coloured Destiny

Thought moulds your character. If you entertain noble thoughts, you will develop a noble character; and if you entertain evil thoughts, you will develop a base character. This is the immutable Law of Nature. Therefore, you can deliberately shape your character by cultivating sublime thoughts. Thought materialises and becomes an action. If you allow the mind to dwell on good, elevating thoughts, you will do naturally good and laudable actions.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Karma: Action, Habit, Character and Destiny

Vastu Shastra: Role of Destiny

All the defects, blasphemy and curses by sages on the house site should be expiated by performing suitable purification ceremonies and worships before one attempts to start the construction work of a house on such a site. Maya, the celestial architect, had explained the easy ways and means of identifying the nature of the soil. According to Maya, the master of the house who is going to construct the house should with his own hands dig out a square pit one cubit side and one cubit depth at the eastern direction or at the middle of the site (Brahmasthala).

Read more here: » Vastu Shastra: Role of Destiny

 At the moment of death, our soul rises out of its host body. If the soul is older and has experience from many former lives, it knows immediately it has been set free and is going home. These advanced souls need no one to greet them. However, most souls I work with are met by guides just outside Earth's astral plane. A young soul, or a child who has died, may be a little disoriented until someone comes closer to ground level for them

An excerpt from Destiny of Souls by Michael Newton

Read more here: » Spirit World: Destiny of Souls

A personal reflection on God by Aftab Shivdasani. ”God occupies a very important place in my life. He is my friend because I don't pray to Him. I talk to Him everyday. I just ask God to give me the strength and the courage to go on with my life, to overcome all the hurdles, to achieve my goals, to keep my near and dear ones happy and most of all, I ask Him to make me a good human being.”

Read more here: » Spiritual Inspiration: God and I by Aftab Shivdasani

The Dual Nature Of Our Consciousness

All things that have consciousness may be divided into two categories - those that move and others that cause movement. That which moves is matter, and that which makes the matter move is awareness.

Read more here: » Consciousness: The Dual Nature Of Our Consciousness

A personal reflection on God by Poonam Dhillon. ”I believe in a universal God. It's a belief I've held since childhood. My mother was very God-fearing and indirectly, I imbibed a lot from her. We practised the Sikh religion, which basically preaches that there is only one God. Though I haven't read the Granth Sahib which contains the teachings of our ten gurus, in totality, I've heard it being read out at home a number of times on various occasions.”

Read more here: » Spiritual Inspiration: God and I by Poonam Dhillon

The power of mind over matter is the creative power of thought. Yad bhavam/ Tad bhavathi - you become what you think. The world is a manifestation of our inner state. The situations we come across, the people we meet, the problems we confront, the life experiences we have, are all projections of what lie within. We create our reality. We are the architects of our destiny. Perceived reality eventually becomes manifested reality. So you become what you think; you find what you perceive.

(See also: Power of thought , God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Power of thought: Power of Thoughts And Karmic Cycle  

We all yearn for the improvement of our fortunes. So we wish to know the future. Palmistry is an effective reflector of what the future holds for us.

Indian ascetics have said that one should take a good look at the palms of both hands for good fortune and luck before getting out of bed early in the morning.

The hand is a symbol of mystic power for it mirrors the individual personality. Those who desire improvement, invigoration and achievement in their lives should rise early in the morning and look at their palms, and then rub them over the face lightly.

(See also: Palmistry , Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Palmistry: The Hand As Symbol Of Mystic Power  

Nine Beliefs of Hinduism

Beliefs are the building blocks of the mind. Our beliefs determine our thoughts and attitudes about life, which in turn direct our actions. By our actions we create our destiny. Beliefs about sacred mattersÑGod, man and cosmosÑare essential to oneÕs approach to enlightenment. But beliefs are not mere matters of agreement. They are what we value and hold as true. Hindus believe many diverse things, but there are a few bedrock concepts on which most Hindus concur. The following nine beliefs, though not exhaustive, offer a simple summary of Hindu spirituality.

Read more here: » Hindu Beliefs: Nine Beliefs of Hinduism

NLP, neuro-linguistic programming, provides one with the opportunity to learn the Art and Science of mastering your mind, emotions and motivations to ultimately create your destiny by tapping into your unconscious resources and awakening your full potential.

Read more here: » Neuro Linguistic Programming, NLP, for spiritual Awakening

We are the most complex and wonderful of God's creations. The human nervous system allows us to experience the richness of life. Our perceptions create reality. We become what we think. But the right environment is required to create the right perceptions. Hence bringing up a child is an art. It requires knowledge and forbearance, love and compassion. Merely thinking of it as a responsibility is insufficient.

(See also: Spiritual Parenting , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Spiritual Parenting: Child Development and the Art of Parenting  

Medical Astrology: In this second part of the article, Ingrid Naiman further explain the dynamics of Medical Astrology.

Read more here: » Medical Astrology: What is Medical Astrology? II

In today’s world, Feng Shui has fast entered the mainstream of practical information about alternative guidance. Authentic Feng Shui dating back 3500 years is timeless but so relevant in our contemporary lifestyles and business environments. A more harmonious interaction between people and their personal space is essential in this new millineum of thinking and living but more importantly, Feng Shui is all about life fulfillment.
This article by Feng Shui expert Siou Foon Lee give the reader a better understanding of what heavenly and eartly factors are influencing man and his life.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: How karma and luck are connected to Feng Shui

Medical Astrology presented by Ingrid Naiman, is a wholistic approach to Astrology that include not only the interpretation of an Astrology chart but also involves astroendocrinology, the effects of stress, the elements and provide remidies that promotes physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing.

Read more here: » Medical Astrology: What is Medical Astrology? I

Motor Your Mind Towards Godhead

Compare your wealth to the automobile that you drive everyday. When you are at the wheel, you have two options: You can either drive without direction or, you can drive steadily to the temple and derive long-lasting happiness. The decision is yours. So are the effects. You are the master of your destiny. You may choose to amass wealth and use it for inferior means of consumption or decide to use your resources to serve humanity and therefore, Lord Krishna.

Read more here: » Godhead: Motor Your Mind Towards Godhead

Karma has quite a karma. Long after India's seers immortalized it in the Vedas, it suffered bad press under European missionaries who belittled it as "fate" and "fatalism," and today finds itself again in the ascendancy as the subtle and all-encompassing principle which governs man's experiential universe in a way likened to gravity's governance over the physical plane. Like gravity, karma was always there in its fullest potency, even when people did not comprehend it.

Read more here: » Karma: Meaning and Definition of Karma