Greetings everyone! I hope your summer is underway and your vacation plans are set. I’ve been running behind, as usual, but I wanted to take time to send the latest from the Michael teachings.
In this edition, I’m presenting an update to my article on the Stoic Attitude, which includes new information about the seven levels of the Stoic, progressing from the negative to the positive poles, along with material that explains how to apply it all.
Even if you weren’t channeled with a stoic attitude, this will teach you about your stoic friends or family members, and provide insights into understanding more about the attitudes in general. There are more additions to the article forthcoming, and I’ll send those next time.
In addition, I’m sharing three new Michael teachings articles: The Essence of Old Souls, Proof of Life After Death: 11 Arguments in Favor of an Afterlife, and Old Soul Love. You can also anticipate a couple new celebrity charts. Just scroll down for it all.
Before We Jump In
Thanks to all of you who have subscribed to this newsletter. As you know, the cost is absolutely zero, but you have the option of becoming a paid subscriber for a nominal fee. Think of it as a fun and unique way to support the Michael Teachings site, a site that has served the community for several decades now. The sheer time involved in maintaining this site has been a significant investment, and I would hate to see the Michael teachings site ever go down. There's too much that still needs to be done.
PLEASE…consider becoming a paid subscriber. There’s more to come!
The Stoic Attitude (Article Update)
The Stoic attitude is often selected when the virtues required to fulfill the soul's agenda are patience and endurance. Think of Sisyphus as he stoically muscled his boulder up that hill, only to watch it tumble down again; think of Job, who weathered calamity after calamity, only to lose everything. The Stoic bears suffering without complaint.
Friends and family of the stoic often comiserate about how it seems like pulling teeth to get their stoic loved ones to share how they feel. Did they have a bad day at work? Are they feeling under the weather? Like the Monty Python sketch where the valiant knight has a limb hacked off and he calmly asserts, "It's only a scratch," the stoic is undeterred by hardship and sums up his travails in the fewest words possible.
No muss, no fuss is an advertising slogan that the stoic probably admires. Stoics are low maintenance people that don't make waves. They ride the current of life with little or no objection and rarely rock the boat. They have a high tolerance level and don't let things get to them, seemingly internalizing the old adage that nothing can truly upset you without your consent.
Stoic people prefer an existence without adornment or frills. Resonating with the inspiration axis energy of the server, they keep things simple, are generally good-hearted people, and will work tirelessly to serve the common good. They take the attitude of foot soldiers that are tested by life to do the right thing. Cool under pressure, stoics remain steadfast during times of stress, despite intense feelings that rage internally. They derive meaning from their acceptance of what life brings, with the self-discipline to endure all challenges with honor and good character.
While the stoic can maintain a serene disposition in the most chaotic situations, this does not mean they are immune to inner turmoil. They just keep a lid on it. They do experience stress, but it's bottled up, like shaking an unopened coke bottle. The liquid foams and churns inside but nothing escapes to the outside world. In the case of the stoic person, the turmoil is contained and hidden behind an expression that perennially projects self-control.
The strength of the stoic is in their indomitable drive to not let their emotions blow life's events out of proportion. This results in fewer instances of ruffled feathers, with the added benefit of greater well being. Life's obstacles become yet another opportunity to follow the virtuous path.
If overwhelmed and embittered, the stoic may detach and withdraw. They shut-down and become resigned to a life they see as a prison sentence, something that must be endured or tolerated, no matter how tortuous the path or the circumstances may seem. At this point, they build an inpenetrable wall around themselves to shut-out any feelings or emotions that could distract them from their focus on a task or just getting through life in general. Becoming indifferent to the world, however, may alleviate some internal strife, but it also creates barriers that block emotionally fulfilling relationships and other outlets of joy that make life worth living.
The Stoic Face (or Expression)
Stoics appear emotionally detached and resigned, as if they feel a quiet resolve about something that cannot be altered. They mask the countenance of the classic "poker-face," making them difficult to read by friends, family, and co-workers. In fact, their faces can look like masks and are often long-drawn as if weighted by the gravity of their burdens. When their eyes are not frustratingly impassive, they can appear, in a poetic sense, like dark chasms that act as reservoirs for the failures, disappointments, and losses of humanity. In the gaze of the Stoic you may see the flickering images of what the whole of mankind has endured in the world, and for that reason alone -- and perhaps more so than the other attitudes -- the Stoic is perhaps closer to understanding what is truly required to be human.
Tranquility & Resignation - How To Identify What the Positive and Negative Poles Feel Like
In the positive pole of Tranquility, feelings of calmness and serenity comprise the emotional tones. The pulse is even, the posture relaxed, the limbs are loose, the movement of the body is languid and unhurried, and there is a sense of satisfaction in everyday tasks, with a feeling that everything in the world is connected just the way it should be.
Thought processes at this state of composure are level-headed and without stress, and can feel like the placid waters of a secluded mountain lake that sway and lap against smooth and rounded pebbles on the shore.
In the negative pole, the feeling of resignation leads to a decrease of confidence and a "sinking sensation" in the body. The posture stoops, the shoulders slump, the eyes stare into space, the face sags, and there may be frequent sighs and mutterings.
The mental focus may also shift erratically, making concentration more difficult. Feelings of emptiness may ensue, leading to emotional indifference and sensations of isolation, like being marooned in the cold, dark, vastness of space.
The 7 Levels of the Stoic Attitude (New)
Progressing from the negative pole to the positive, here are the seven levels of the STOIC Attitude.
The Seven Levels of the Stoic Attitude
1) Resignation (Negative Pole)
2) Disengagement
3) Fortification
4) Equanimity
5) Composure
6) Serenity
7) Tranquility (Positive Pole)
These definitions provide an overview of the seven levels of the stoic attitude, highlighting where individuals stand on the spectrum and the overall significance of the progression. While spending time in the negative poles of an overleaf is normal (and part of life), the positive poles grant direct access to essence (or your higher self), and that is often a more profitable use of your time. Although, it is possible to transcend the poles altogether.
Resignation: Representing the lowest point of this attitude, the negative pole, the stoic feels defeated here, like a deflated balloon, or a ship that will never leave the harbor. All hope is lost, and the bitter pill to swallow is, regrettably, to surrender. "What's the use of trying?" the stoic may ask. "Fate is inevitable. It's in the cards." Being stuck here can result in a loss of purpose for the stoic. It can be a bleak and barren place. Not a desirable destination to seek refuge from life's challenges.
Disengagement: At this stage, emotions are suppressed and the stoic defiantly and unheroically shuts down. This is a withdrawal from whatever in life causes the most inner turmoil. It's a last-ditch attempt to detach from pain and frustration. Ironically, it also dissolves emotional ties with loved ones or associates that could help. Relationships may become perilously strained here, and missed opportunities are common at this stage. The stoic is not amenable to change.
Fortification: Dark, forbidding clouds have rolled in and, as a coping mechanism, the stoic erects emotional barriers to fortify their life against the chronic stress. They feel overwhelmed and seek isolation to recapture their natural states of calmness and emotional stability.
Equanimity: This is the center of gravity for the stoic, a harmonious state, well-balanced and imperturbable. Imagine the stoic in a vessel that calmly drifts through placid waters, under a clear night sky, and buoyed by a soothing, soft wind. This is the out-of-the-box preset for the stoic; the default setting. Also, if recently escaped from external chaos, this stage would be the eye of the storm.
Composure: The first stage in the positive pole field, here the stoic is composed, stable, and in a state of peace. Life challenges may arise, but the stoic remains in his inner sanctum, undeterred by outside events, and those chaotic interlopers in life that distract, frustrate, and claw at the stoic's natural inclination to face adversity without protest.
Serenity: This level resonates with the energy of the priest, which guides the stoic to experience a heightened sense of harmony in life. Now more content with the rhythms of daily existence — sometimes jagged, sometimes serene — at this stage, the stoic can tune in and reflect on those rare moments of stillness in the frenetic bustle of activity, like the spaces of silence between notes in music. This is genuine serenity.
Tranquility: The positive pole of the progression, representing a state of profound inner peace, harmony, and acceptance of the present moment, the stoic experiences a deep sense of connection with oneself and the world. This can feel like a state of hushed serenity, like the first snowfall of the season.
Applying the Seven Levels of the Stoic
If someone with knowledge of these steps for the polarities of the stoic attitude finds themselves sliding up and down the progression in their reactions to life experiences, they can use this understanding to navigate and respond more effectively. Here's how they might put this knowledge to good use:
Self-awareness: By being aware of the different steps in the progression, individuals can gain insight into their own emotional and mental states. Recognizing where they currently stand on the spectrum can help them assess their reactions and responses more objectively.
Mindful observation: When faced with challenging situations or triggers, individuals can practice mindful observation of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. They can consciously observe whether they are leaning towards resignation, acknowledgment, alignment, or any other step on the progression.
Intentional mindset shift: Armed with this awareness, individuals can intentionally shift their mindset towards higher steps on the progression. If they find themselves in a state of resignation or acknowledgment, they can actively work towards cultivating acceptance, equanimity, composure, serenity, and ultimately tranquility.
Tools and practices: Various tools and practices can support the progression. These may include mindfulness meditation, journaling, self-reflection, cognitive reframing, and stoic principles such as the dichotomy of control and the practice of negative visualization. Engaging in these practices can help individuals foster a more stoic mindset and gradually move towards the positive pole of tranquility.
Learning from experiences: Each time individuals find themselves sliding down the progression, they can view it as an opportunity for growth and learning. They can reflect on what triggered their shift and explore ways to respond more effectively in the future, reinforcing the positive steps and minimizing the negative ones.
By utilizing this knowledge, individuals can develop a greater sense of emotional resilience, adaptability, and inner peace. They can navigate life's challenges with a more stoic attitude, finding balance and serenity amidst the ebb and flow of their experiences.
Interaction With the Stoic
The first rule in getting along with the Stoic is to honor their natural penchant for being quiet and taciturn. Indeed, the Stoic's detached and deadpan delivery can lend an inscrutable air to their mannerisms but their willingness to stand unruffled against the bustle of life can also be a source of serenity to those around them. Learn to enjoy this silence with the Stoic as a tranquil truce with the incessant fury of a clamorous world.
Stoics are people of few words, and never wanting to belabor a point, they favor direct communication that cuts to the chase without unnecessary tangents or verbal flourishes. A simple thumbs up or down (or other hand gesture) will often suffice when communicating with them. Stoics should be wary, however, of sending the wrong social signals. Their limited facial expressions and communication style can lead to misunderstandings, especially when an appropriate emotional response is needed.
Preferred Surroundings
Stoic people are temperamentally equipped to work long hours provided that their work is not subject to pointless interruption. More than the other attitudes, they prefer peaceful environments where they can focus, like a Zen Monk, on the task at hand.
Stoics in Literature and Films
Along with Job from the bible and Sisyphus from mythological lore, the Stoic has enjoyed a long tradition as a hero in Western films. Actors like Gary Cooper or John Wayne catapulted themselves into stardom portraying heroic stoics enduring the machinations of evil cattle barons or lawless frontier towns.
Literature offers volumes of stoical characters, including Brutus in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, and the head-hunting Queequeg from Melville's Moby Dick.
In crime fiction, Philip Marlowe, the protagonist of Raymond Chandler's novels, is certainly an unflappable stoic, as is Jeeves, the butler from the P.G. Wodehouse romps. In films, stoics are represented by Humphrey Bogart's character in Casablanca, Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird, Macon Leary from The Accidental Tourist, and even Yoda from Star Wars.
Perhaps the most well-known stoic is Mr. Spock, the emotionally reserved Vulcan from Star Trek -- though he could run a close tie with the stoic believer Fox Mulder from the TV series, The X-Files. One could argue that Mulder's partner Scully is also a stoic, but unlike Fox, Scully's dispassionate demeanor is more clinical, like the Pragmatist.
In the World
Parts of the Asian world are almost a cliché of Stoicism, and Great Britain, with its Buckingham Palace guards and a national pride that stand resolute and "keeps a stiff upper lip" in the face of adversity, is widely known for posturing stoic virtues.
Buddhism, a religion that preaches calmness and emotional temperance, is inherently stoic in the way it seeks peace and mindfulness in the present moment.
Personal Application
If you are a Stoic, it is important to avoid the feeling of being resigned to your fate. This is a product of the negative pole and may be alleviated by sliding to "Verification," the positive pole of the Spiritualist attitude. In this case, you would verify your feelings about a situation and use that truth to help pull you out of any feelings of resignation.
In more extreme cases, where emotions stir the chief features into action, you slide to "Faith," the negative pole of Spiritualist. This is blind faith, however, and it only fuels more incendiary feelings. Once again, the solution is to slide to a positive emotion, ultimately landing at the neutral point that creates a septant between the pairing of Stoic and Spiritualist.
When your chief feature does squarely entrench you in "Faith," one solution is to slide to the positive pole of that feature. For instance, a Stoic with a chief feature of Stubbornness could slide to the positive pole of "Determination," and use that sense of determination to find a way back to a more comfortable footing.
Here is channeling I did concerning what Michael feels the Stoic should know:
When the Stoic learns that there is a discernable difference between being withdrawn and simply reticent, they have won half the battle in understanding how to best manifest this attitude. To be a Stoic or not to be is the question many Stoics struggle with as they compare themselves to the more exuberant expressions of the other attitudes. Of course, being stoical brings innumerable rewards on an essence level, but since these perks are not readily noticeable to friends and family who insist that their beloved Stoic "come out of his shell" more often, we will add that there has been a stoical tradition in every evolving society and culture since this experiment in sentience began, and without stoical temperaments, the framework of civilization as you know it would have experienced far less stability.
To use an old nautical directive: Stay the course. As a Stoic you are a grounding force in peoples lives and that is both valuable and needed.
David Gregg
New Michael Teachings Articles
The Enigmatic Essence of Old Souls
An abbreviated article about old souls, specifically written for those with limited reading time.
In the tapestry of human existence, there are individuals whose souls seem weathered, their gaze carrying a depth that transcends their years. These are the enigmatic beings often referred to as old souls…Proof of Life After Death: 11 Arguments in Favor of an Afterlife
This article has been on the back-burner for years. I hope it was worth the wait.
The question of whether life extends beyond the bounds of physical existence has indeed captivated the human imagination for centuries. From ancient spiritual teachings to modern scientific inquiries, the quest for proof of life after death continues to intrigue and inspire us. In this article, we embark on a thought-provoking journey…Old Soul Love: 7 Characteristics of Deep, Soulful Connections
This article includes a video I created years back about old soul love. I thought to showcase that with this new piece.
In the realm of love, there exists a mystical weave of emotions and connections that intertwines souls, transcending the boundaries of time and space. Within this intricate web, a unique breed of individuals known as old souls emerges…
If you enjoy these articles, please like, share, or even add a link to them from your own site or blog. Every little bit of promotion helps. The majority of things I post are seen by a very small number of people. Just a needle in the Internet haystack.
Your support is ALWAYS appreciated!
New Celebrity Michael Charts
Here's a chart for Francesca Hayward. She's a dancer for the Royal Ballet, but you may remember her from the movie "Cats" in the role of Victoria. I noticed her for the first time in the ballet production of Romeo & Juliet. She played Juliet.
Francesca Hayward
4th mature artisan, discarnate priest ET, scholar casting (4/5/2), growth, spiritualist, reserve, emotional/moving, arrogance/no secondary.
I don't know how I missed this last year on PBS. The music is exquisite all the way through. A masterpiece. A unique feature is they present it like a film, not a typical stage setting.
The ballet itself is a world treasure. Where did the composer Prokofiev, a scholar, find such passion and inventiveness? He was forever the harmonic trickster, but with an unparalleled ear for a beautiful melodic line. All of those quirky, brilliant shifts in tonalities. He's so musically playful. The colors and textures he achieves in his orchestrations, for instance. A marvel.
I watched this production with sheer joy. If you have never treated yourself to this music, it is not too late. Add this to your bucket list. It is a beautiful experience.
Here's a chart for the brilliant Argentine concert pianist, Martha Argerich, still performing at age 81, and widely considered one of the greatest pianists of all time. She's also accomplished in other areas and can speak Spanish, French, Italian, German, English, and Portuguese.
To judge Martha's gifts for yourself, I've included her performing Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3. One of my favorite piano concertos. And yes, I admit it. I love Prokofiev. ;-)
Martha Argerich
5th mature scholar, discarnate warrior ET, artisan casting (2/6/6), discrimination, stoic, reserve, intellectual/moving, arrogance/stubbornness.
Known for her fiery role in "High Noon," here's a chart for the Mexican actress, Katy Jurado. She was one of my favorites from that era. A CLASSIC Warrior-look!
Katy Jurado
1st old warrior, discarnate artisan ET with double scholar casting (4/4/3). Dominance, stoic, perseverance, moving/intellectual, stubbornness.
Bonus:
By popular demand, I will continue the Summer Discount on Michael charts for another month (thru July).
https://www.michaelteachings.com/summer-chart-discount.html
And if you’re still waiting for a chart, please be patient. I’m working through the queue as fast as possible. Life has been busy.
FINAL Bonus:
Here’s one last article that was recently posted at the Michael teachings site. It covers the spiritually-enriching practice of journaling. Something I’ve taken up lately with promising results.
How to Start Journaling: A Guide to Untangling the Complexities of the Mind
There is a certain intimacy in the act of putting pen to paper, a private communion between the mind and the blank page. In this age of digital communication and fleeting thoughts, the practice of journaling stands as a testament to the enduring power of the written word…
And we’re done!
Continue to have a great summer, and I’ll see you in the next issue.
All the best,
Dave