In the Yogic tradition, samskaras are impressions upon the mind.

Imagine your mind as a ball of clay and a samskara as something (an experience of some sort) indenting that clay, making a mark, so to say, that "shapes" the mind.

As High Priestess Lydia mentioned in her ongoing Sutra series, a samskara can be positive or negative. We want to expose ourselves to impressions that evolve, develop, and enrich us, and avoid those that afflict us.

However, because we live in the real world, it is natural to encounter experiences that leave negative impressions. The aim is not to escape reality, but to consciously confront unhealthy samskaras that seek to deepen their grooves in the mind, refusing to let them define its shape.

At the same time, we continually cultivate new, beneficial samskaras that impress the mind with higher qualities, while also cultivating the good samskaras already present.

Be careful what you expose yourself to. Have you ever noticed that the news, social media, and even certain individuals/groups only serve to manipulate your opinions and behaviors?

To free yourself from old, unhealthy samskaras, Zevism offers many different approaches:

I'm sure there are more.

"According to the original texts, there are three purposes of Hatha yoga: (1) the total purification of the body, (2) the complete balancing of the physical, mental, and energetic fields, and (3) the awakening of purer consciousness through which one ultimately connects with the divine by engaging in practices rooted in the physical body.

Hatha yoga uses all of who we are—physically, mentally, emotionally, our most subtle and elusive inner nature—as the raw material for learning, seeing, and integrating our entire being, opening us to our fullest imagination, intelligence, enthusiasm, energy, and awareness of spiritual life."

Stephens, Mark. Teaching Yoga: Essential Foundations and Techniques. North Atlantic Books, 2010.

Here's the thing: you have to keep your energies high, your AoP up, and your soul clean.

But even when you do this, you're not escaping life. Stop thinking that these things should lock you away in a high tower, away from all meanness.

There purpose is better management, better participation, better quality of all that life is—the highs and the lows. They enrich your experience with either or.

Yes, the making of a God is to rise above the wheel, but the process is the wheel itself.

Let life happen and let Zevism be the religion that perfects living, not the tool that one tries to use to escape it.

Before, the metaphysical state of my home was never an issue.

However, as the soul becomes more pure, it becomes increasingly disagreeable with that which is below its own standard of purity.

I've neglected cleaning and purifying my home, and it's gotten to the point that, despite intense purification and protection on my self, the environment I reside in is working against my evolution and advancement.

Therefore, I did a strong purification of my home today, and I already feel much better. I plan to use the upcoming Sagittarius moon to do a full cycle of home purification and blessings.

You must do this, even if you live alone (which I don't, making it even more essential). You're responsible for upholding the virtue of your environment, to the best of your ability. Your house is alive. Treat it as such 🤍

As a Zevist, with time and evolution, the standard for purity consistently rises. What you could "get away with" before, you can no longer because Ma'at demands goodness from your own center, rather than from an external example.

Therefore, to transgress Ma'at through improper conduct, or what have you, is to transgress your own center. You will throw yourself off balance having corrupted it, and re-gaining that balance takes more effort than maintaining an existing stability.

Starting today, I'll be training for Hanumanasana (splits). When I was younger, I had full splits on both sides, but now I'm a few inches off the ground on either side. The middle splits I never fully mastered, so that will be a challenge, too!

For those curious on the lore behind the splits, you can read Hanuman’s legendary leap from India to Lanka in the Ramayana, which I have yet to study myself. I'm looking forward to this!

Most of the time, you should think the best of people. If they behave contrary to that belief, then realize that it's not because they're bad, but because they're ignorant of what's good. By practicing this, you preserve your own virtue and safeguard that of someone who hasn't remembered their own.

If you're in need of blessings, if you're asking for help, reaching out to the divine, then be prepared to give.

I used to pray for the fruits of labor not labored for, to seek assistance without offering any of my own. I thought my prayers were answered with silence, and that I wasn't important enough to the Gods. I was wrong.

When you think you have little to offer, you never think to give—and that's why you get nothing when you ask. However, you inexplicably find other things that provide the opportunity for you to help. If you say "No, I cannot help. I do not have enough to give," then so shall it be until you decide otherwise.

In most cases, we can help, even when we need help ourselves. With that action, you enter a new stream of give and exchange, and this is where those miracles you pray for actually occur.

I decided to give to the Temple when I wanted to hoard my time, attention, and resources, when it seemed "safe" to do so, as if it was "justifable" for a man in my position.

The Gods watch our sacrifices and reward tenfold or more.

In other words, for those who want divine intervention, material success, and spiritual power, and you have little to give by your standards, then GIVE ANYWAY and see your life transform.

Blessings to you all

When you advance in the Path, you'll sometimes experience miraculous psychological breakthroughs that facilitate greater wholeness of the Self.

However, it can take a catalyst to ignite this particular process. For instance, meditation can be that catalyst, but other times, it is through study.

You may be a Zevist, but that does not guarantee righteousness with every thought or action. Sometimes, the Truth must be carried to you from an unexpected source, and at the expense of your pride.

At first, you may feel ashamed by the correction. However, that shame changes to inspiration, and then into joy at the realization of Truth.

Inspired by the Roman Goddess, Veritas (literally "Truth"), the artist Jean-Leon Gerome depicts Her emerging from Her well to punish those who have tried to suppress Her. The lesson here is, although try as we might, the truth cannot remain buried for long. Eventually, She will emerge with fury, and those who cannot stand to behold "the naked Truth" (one of her symbols: nudity), flee.

However, let's explore Her symbolism so we can apply Her majesty to ourselves, thus appeasing the Goddess.

Another artist, Paul Baudry, stays more true to her original Roman description. Usually, along with being nude, she holds a mirror in her hand. Now, the mirror can be rather elusive, for it "reflects" an image of what seems, but not necessarily what is. It can be deceptive for this reason. Although, the deception lies within us, which is why the Goddesses mirror asks that we "reflect" on one's self.

Once we are true to ourselves, we can acknowledge our ignorance and ugliness; therefore, giving us the ability to purify what is base. Furthermore, when we embrace the Goddess, it facilitates virtue and encourages ethical being. We are closer to the Gods.

My Note* The child holding her clothes may be symbolic of innocence, bearing the responsibility of holding Her garments. Indeed, we all have an innocence that permits us to be honest and attend to the Truth.

Again, by Jean Leon Gerome, Truth lies dead at the bottom of the well, killed by liars and actors.

Self explanatory, but it is all too often that people neglect to look at that parts of themselves buried in the shadows. But what lurks in the shadows controls what is in the light if the light is not aware of its presence.

In modern terms, you must be conscious of your self, both the bad and the good. It is only through recognition of unconscious material that we can deal with it.

Bless Veritas

Venus disarming Cupid can be interpreted in a variety of ways.

Cupid is the force of attraction, desire, erotic love, and affection. He is the Son of Venus, the All-Encompassing Goddess of His domain.

His disarmament may be viewed as our earthly desires being limited, or sublimated, through idealization, often linked to celestial good.

By taking away his bow and arrow, Venus restrains and redirects sensuality from earthly pleasure toward higher forms of love, guiding the soul away from the excessive distractions of passion and toward truth, beauty, and unity.
@IsisVeil01