Myth and Science Behind Cats’ Nine Lives
Do Cats Really Have Nine Lives?
You’ve probably heard the saying, “A cat has nine lives.” It’s often used to describe someone who survives multiple accidents, just like a cat, which supposedly has nine lives and is hard to kill. But is there any truth to this?
The saying originates from an old English proverb: “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays.” Even William Shakespeare referenced this belief in Romeo and Juliet.
Let’s dive in and unravel this myth and science behind cats’ nine lives!
How Did the Belief Start?
In ancient Egypt, cats were considered sacred animals and worshipped as gods. Egyptians believed cats were divine creatures with supernatural powers. Given this view, the idea that they could have multiple lives doesn’t seem far-fetched.
Dr. Brian Beale, an orthopedic pet surgeon and joint specialist, explains, “Historically, cats have been observed surviving extreme situations—like being thrown from tall buildings or engulfed in fire—where humans or other animals would likely perish.”
Holistic physical therapist Sally Morgan adds, “Cats’ remarkable ability to balance themselves during falls is likely the main reason for the belief in their nine lives. Their flexible bones and ligaments, which help them move silently while hunting, also enable them to sustain minimal injury from accidents.”
Theosophical Perspective
From a theosophical point of view, cats are believed to possess a great amount of Prana, or life energy, which contributes to their agility and vitality.
But what is Prana, and why is it significant? Prana is the vital energy that all living organisms absorb from the sun. It’s essential for life, as all living beings—whether animals, plants, or humans—are sustained by Prana.
H.P. Blavatsky, co-founder of the School of Theosophy, compares Prana to oxygen in her book The Etheric Double, describing it as the life-giving force essential to organic life. Cats, being especially endowed with Prana, may have inspired the idea of them having “nine lives” and being sacred in Egyptian culture.
How to Increase Your Prana?
Did you know that one way to increase Prana in your body is through physical exercise? There are also simple breathing techniques that can help boost your Prana. To learn more, explore Pranic Healing!
Live it up by Finding Joy in everyday life
In a world where “triggers” — moments that evoke distress or negative emotions — are widely discussed, a powerful counterpoint is often overlooked: glimmers. A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger; it’s a micro moment that brings feelings of joy, peace, happiness, or gratitude. These tiny sparks of positive emotions, though subtle, can have a profound impact on our well-being, reminding us of the beauty in everyday life. Read on to discover the power of glimmers on your well-being.
What Are Glimmers?
A glimmer is an experience that subtly uplifts your mood, however brief. It could be as simple as a smile from a stranger, the warmth of sunlight on your skin, the sound of a favorite song, or the first sip of your morning coffee. These moments may be small, but they tap into a deeper sense of contentment and connection, providing a mental and emotional reset.
Unlike larger, more overt experiences of joy or relaxation, glimmers tend to be quiet and fleeting. Yet, it is their very simplicity that makes them so powerful. Glimmers are accessible in everyday moments, allowing us to shift our focus from the overwhelming or negative aspects of life to the sources of positivity around us.
Glimmers are a game-changer!
Glimmers can play a crucial role in shaping our mental and emotional health. In today’s fast-paced world, we are often bombarded with stressful situations, challenges, and triggers that heighten anxiety, frustration, or sadness. Glimmers offer a counterbalance by creating opportunities to ground ourselves in positive feelings, even for a brief moment. Let’s understand more about the power of glimmers on one’s well-being:
1. Promote Mindfulness: Glimmers encourage us to slow down and notice the small pleasures around us. They remind us to be present in the moment, which can reduce stress and anxiety by drawing attention away from our worries.
2. Build Emotional Resilience: By noticing and appreciating glimmers, we train our brains to recognize positivity more readily. This habit can gradually increase our emotional resilience, making us more capable of handling life’s challenges.
3. Foster Gratitude: When we become attuned to glimmers, we naturally begin to feel more grateful for the little things that bring us joy. Gratitude has been shown to improve overall well-being, creating a sense of abundance rather than lack.
4. Counteract Negative Bias: Our brains are wired to focus more on negative experiences than positive ones, a phenomenon known as the “negativity bias.” By consciously seeking out glimmers, we help balance this bias, improving our overall outlook on life.
5 Ways to Invite More Glimmers Into Your Life
While glimmers can happen naturally, there are several ways to intentionally cultivate these moments of joy and peace in your daily routine:
1. Practice Mindfulness: Engaging in mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing or meditation, can help you become more aware of your surroundings and open your senses to potential glimmers. Notice the texture of a blanket, the rhythm of your breath, or the sound of birds chirping.
2. Spend Time in Nature: Nature has an uncanny way of providing glimmers. Whether it’s a walk in the park, listening to the sound of waves, or admiring a blooming flower, nature’s simplicity often sparks feelings of peace and gratitude.
3. Engage in Acts of Kindness: Giving a compliment, lending a helping hand, or simply sharing a smile can not only create glimmers for others but also bring a sense of joy to your own day.
4. Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate even the smallest achievements. Completing a task, enjoying a healthy meal, or making time for a hobby are all glimmers that can reinforce feelings of accomplishment and contentment.
5. Reflect on Your Day: At the end of each day, take a few moments to reflect on any glimmers you experienced. Writing them down in a gratitude journal can deepen your appreciation for these moments and train your mind to notice more.
In essence, glimmers are a reminder that joy and peace are not distant, monumental achievements but can be found in the smallest details of everyday life. By becoming more attuned to glimmers, we can live more mindfully, build resilience, and foster a sense of gratitude, bringing more light and happiness into our lives.
Astral experiences shape fleeting dreams.
What Are Dreams and Why Are They Difficult to Remember?
How often do you wake up with the memory of a bizarre dream, only for it to slip away as you try to recall it? If you’ve wondered about this, insights from theosophical literature might provide an interesting perspective.
What Are Dreams?
Are dreams just random visual images and stories created by the mind? Or are they reflections of our day-to-day life? Perhaps they’re emotional, sensory, or cognitive experiences that occur during sleep.
From a common perspective, dreams are often seen as a blend of real-life experiences, subconscious thoughts, and deep desires. They usually occur during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep, during which the eyes move rapidly, muscles temporarily freeze, and heart rate and blood pressure rise. After waking from REM sleep, people often describe strange, irrational visions and stories that they label as dreams.
The Theosophical Perspective on Dreams
According to the School of Theosophy, while we sleep, the astral body separates from the physical body and returns just before waking up. This re-entry can create an impact on the etheric double and physical consciousness.
Meanwhile, the mental body is also engaged during sleep, leaving its imprint on the physical brain. What we remember as a “dream” is a combination of these experiences, sometimes even influenced by the causal body.
Dreams can appear dramatic because the etheric body organizes the contents of the physical brain in a way that makes them vivid, rearranging them according to its own whims. In this view, dreams are a result of the mental/astral/ etheric experiences interacting with the physical brain during sleep.
Why Are Dreams Hard to Remember?
You may have noticed that when you’re in light sleep, you can sometimes recall your dream, but the memory quickly fades once you’re fully awake.
This happens because, during sleep, the “atomic web” plays a role in blocking the memory of sleep from entering our conscious awareness. Even though our astral and mental bodies are active, the physical brain’s signals tend to overpower these subtler impressions when we wake up. The more we try to forcefully recall a dream, the faster it tends to disappear from memory.
How to Improve Dream Recall?
One effective way to recall dreams is to keep a calm mind and meditate on what little you remember. Writing down fragments of your dream and practicing guided meditation can also help in recollection. A steady mind is key.
A simple yet powerful technique for achieving calmness and stillness is the “Meditation on Twin Hearts.” This meditation not only helps with inner peace and dream recollection but also generates positive karma and attracts good fortune.
14 Traits of Successful People: How They Think, Act, and Lead
Success is an eventual outcome of what may be called as the right mindset. In this blog, we dwell on that constitutes the right mindset, habits, and how one engages with the world that sets the right genesis for sustainable success and greatness.
When we look at truly successful people, we find that they often embody specific traits that allow them to flourish personally and professionally. These traits not only shape their path to success but also enable them to live fulfilling, balanced lives.
Here are 14 key traits of successful people and how you can cultivate them in your own life:
- They Celebrate the Success of Others
Successful people don’t feel threatened by the achievements of others. Instead, they celebrate those successes, understanding that someone else’s win does not take away from their own. By uplifting those around them, they encourage positive relationships and inspire others, which often comes full circle in their own success.
- They Don’t Take Things Personally
Resilience is a key for success, and successful individuals know how to separate themselves from external judgments, criticism, or negativity. They don’t take things personally, allowing them to stay focused on their goals without being derailed by others’ opinions.
- They Don’t Make Assumptions
Assumptions can lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities. Instead of jumping to conclusions, successful people seek clarity and open communication. By avoiding assumptions, they make better decisions and build stronger, more trusting relationships.
- They Avoid Jealousy and Envy
Jealousy and envy can be toxic emotions that hinder personal growth. Successful people understand this and choose to focus on their own journey rather than comparing themselves to others. By staying in their own lane, they foster a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity.
- They Keep an Open Mind
In a constantly changing world, adaptability is key. Successful people keep an open mind, always ready to learn something new, try a different approach, or consider a fresh perspective. This openness allows them to seize opportunities and grow continuously.
- They Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is a cornerstone of long-term success. By focusing on what they have rather than what they lack, successful people cultivate a positive mindset. Gratitude keeps them grounded, appreciative of small victories, and resilient in the face of challenges.
- They Act with Intention
Successful people don’t leave their lives up to chance. Every decision and action is purposeful, aligned with their goals and values. By acting with intention, they make steady progress toward their objectives while maintaining a clear sense of direction.
- They Speak Honestly
Honesty allows space trust and respect. Successful people understand the importance of speaking truthfully, even when it’s uncomfortable. By being direct and transparent, they build credibility and strong, lasting relationships.
- They Avoid Gossip
Gossip erodes trust and damages relationships. Successful individuals steer clear of it, focusing instead on meaningful conversations and actions that build people up rather than tear them down. They value integrity and respect over idle chatter.
- They Forgive
Holding onto grudges only weighs a person down. Successful people practice forgiveness, letting go of past hurts and moving forward with a clear heart and mind. They understand that forgiveness is more about freeing themselves from negativity than about the other person.
- They Listen
Listening is one of the most underrated yet powerful traits of successful people. Whether it’s in a meeting, a conversation with a friend, or while learning something new, successful people are present and attentive. By listening actively, they gain insights, build deeper connections, and avoid misunderstandings.
- They Give
Generosity is a hallmark of success. Whether through their time, knowledge, or resources, successful people are eager to give back. They understand that true success is not just about personal gain but about making a positive impact on the world around them.
Conclusion
Success is about more than just achieving goals—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself and contributing to the world in meaningful ways. These 14 traits of successful people show us that true success comes from a combination of mindset, values, and intentional actions.
By celebrating the success of others, practicing gratitude, staying open to learning, and leading with love and honesty, we can not only achieve our personal goals but also inspire and uplift those around us. Success is not just a destination; it’s a way of life, shaped by how we choose to engage with the world every day.
Five Success Mantras for a Fulfilling Life: Listen, Speak, Act, Rest, Succeed
Success in life isn’t just about reaching your career goals or achieving personal milestones; it’s about how you navigate every day, interact with others, and stay true to yourself. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, building personal relationships, or simply trying to be your best self, a few core principles can guide you to a more fulfilling and successful life. Here are the five success mantras for a fulfilling life
1) Listen Keenly: The first step toward success is listening—really listening. This means more than just hearing words; it involves understanding the feelings, intentions, and needs behind those words. When you listen keenly, you learn more about others and yourself. Whether in a business meeting, a family gathering, or a casual conversation with a friend, listening attentively shows respect and builds deeper, more meaningful connections.
2) Speak Boldly: Once you’ve listened and truly understood, it’s time to speak up. Speaking boldly doesn’t mean being the loudest voice in the room; it means speaking with confidence, clarity, and purpose. Your ideas and opinions matter, and sharing them can lead to innovation, change, and growth. Don’t be afraid to voice your thoughts and stand up for what you believe in. Bold speech often paves the way for progress and can inspire others to do the same.
3) Be On Time: It might seem simple, but punctuality is a powerful habit. Being on time demonstrates that you respect others and value your commitments. It shows that you are organized and reliable, two traits that are highly valued in both personal and professional relationships. When you consistently show up on time, people trust you more, and that trust is a crucial foundation for any successful endeavor.
4) Follow Instructions: There’s often a misconception that following instructions means a lack of creativity or initiative. In reality, it’s about understanding and respecting the systems in place, learning from those who have come before you, and recognizing that sometimes there is a proven way to achieve a goal. Following instructions doesn’t mean you can’t think outside the box; it just means you appreciate the value of guidance and structure in achieving success.
5) Disengage: Success also requires knowing when to step back. Constant engagement can lead to burnout, stress, and a loss of perspective. Taking time to disengage—whether through a vacation, a weekend off, or just a quiet evening to yourself—is vital for maintaining balance and clarity. Disengaging allows you to recharge, reflect, and return with renewed energy and focus.
These five mantras—listen keenly, speak boldly, be on time, follow instructions, and disengage—form a powerful foundation for success in any area of life. By incorporating these principles into your daily routine, you’ll not only achieve your goals but also lead a more balanced, fulfilling, and impactful life.
Did you know the unfortunate incident of 9/11 was predicted long before it happened? Have you heard stories of Simpsons predicting future? Or Nostradamus’ four liner poems becoming reality?
Have you ever felt strongly positive or negative about some situation, person or event, sensed that something isn’t right? And later your vague feelings proved to be true?
Then you have had an intuition!
Intuition is a part of “Extra Sensory Perception” or ESP (we will look at it in the latter part of the blog post). Intuition in common parlance is also known as Gut feeling.
A feeling that your loved one might fall sick or simply that you might have to cancel your flight, without knowing ‘why’ is an intuition but only if this is proved to be true in the coming future.
Excerpts from the writings of Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda say,
“Intuition is soul guidance; appearing naturally in man during those instants when his mind is calm…The goal of yoga science is to calm the mind, that without distortion it may hear the infallible counsel of the Inner Voice.”
According to theosophy, these feelings of Intuition come from the ‘Navel Centre’ or ‘Navel Chakra’ which is also called ‘Manipura’ in Sanskrit.
When the correspondent chakra in the astral body is awakened, the signal from Astral Chakra flows first through activated Etheric Chakra, and then reaches the physical body.
This is how you feel intuitive about certain things in your surrounding or somewhere far.
BUT THERE’S MORE TO THIS,
Your Navel Chakra is not the only chakra that gives you these feelings. For a more detailed break down into types of intuition, refer the chart below:
Extra Sensory Perceptions include a broader category as seen above. Since we’ve already discussed Intuition, let’s see what the other terms mean!
CLAIRVOYANCE
Clairvoyance is the ability to see things and receive visions from different planes of existence such as Etheric, Astral, Mental and Causal Plane.
The Centre between the eyebrows is termed as ‘Ajna’ in Sanskrit and the activation of this chakra in the Astral and Etheric body can result into Clairvoyant abilities at Astral Level. As the Ajna Chakra develops in corresponding bodies (like Mental and Causal Body) on different planes, the level of Clairvoyance also simultaneously develop.
READING AKASHIC RECORDS
You must have heard of few people who claim that they can reveal your past life. Some of these people possess the ability of reading Akashic Records.
Akashic Records are the memory seen on the astral plane, which is just a recurring reflection from other higher planes. Akashic Records are also called “The Divine Memory” since they include everything that has happened in the history of mankind.
Sometimes, a developed ability of Clairvoyance can allow you to perceive memories on the Astral Plane and sometimes these might just appear as mere glimpses. Since these memories are a recurring reflection on Astral Plane, they can be really hard to comprehend. On the other hand, perceiving Akashic Records on Mental Plane is much more accurate and complete in nature, to do so, it demands faculties pertaining to Mental Plane.
ORDINARY PSYCHOMETER
An Ordinary Psychometer needs an object connected to the past scene he/she wishes to see. A crystal or any other object can also help them focus and access the past scene that they aim to perceive.
CLAIRAUDIENCE
To understand clairaudience better, you can read our blog on clairaudience.
Throat Chakra is called ‘Visuddha’ in Sanskrit. Awakening of this centre in Astral and Etheric body results in Clairaudience abilities. Clairaudience is the ability to hear voices, pleasant or unpleasant, from Astral Plane.
SYMPATHIZING WITH OTHERS
To sympathize with others is to feel what the other person or an entity is going through.
Anāhata, also called the heart chakra enables a man to sympathize with other astral entities and allows them to comprehend their feelings. Sometimes, the pain from the sufferer is also felt by the one who sympathizes.
One good way to start developing your intuitive abilities is through meditation. I personally prefer Grand Master Choa Kok Sui’s Twin Heart Meditation, which was awarded the first place at the Academy of Integrated Health & Medicine (AIHM) Annual Conference.
The Controlled, the sensitive soul and the accidental
Have you heard about sensitive souls hearing voices in their head out of nowhere? Ever heard someone calling out your name, only to realize there was no one around? Or do you recall hearing weird noises yourself?
Have you wondered what kind of noises are these? Where do these voices come from? Why do only some people experience it?
These sounds come from the astral plane! It connects to only some people. This happens when entities from the astral world try to communicate with those living on the physical plane. People who can hear these sounds that no one can are gifted with the power of clairaudience!
The Etheric body helps in creating impressions coming from the astral plane on the conscious minds of people and they begin to hear voices and weird sounds in their head.
Hearing sounds and voices from the astral plane is possible in three conditions:
- When the person possesses consciously controlled power.
2. When the person has a sensitive soul.
Some people are born with sensitive souls. Such people often sense someone calling them or speaking to them. Entities from the astral world easily connect to sensitive souls on the physical plane. That is why they try to communicate to those people more often.
3. Tearing of the atomic web
According to Theosophical literature, we possess something called as an atomic web. An atomic web is like a shield that protects and filters elements from the astral world entering in the etheric world. It prevents the astral elements from exposing our physical consciousness to things we cannot see or hear.
When the atomic web is not present, the contents from the astral plane leave impressions on the etheric brain. Ordinary humans are not equipped to understand or interpret those impressions. Most of us may find those impressions and sounds unpleasant and hence may not be able to handle what we see or hear.
Substances like drugs, tea or other intoxicants, extreme stress, trauma or even an outburst of excitement, cause damage to the atomic web. When the web tears, it allows thoughts from the astral plane to directly enter the etheric plane. This is when the man starts hallucinating.
A schizophrenic often has similar complaints about experiencing voices or visions that others cannot see or hear. As stress, drug addiction or other factors damage his atomic web, he is exposed to contents from the astral plane that causes hallucination.
Have your dear ones ever experienced hearing any kind of sound that inaudible to others?
Would you like to learn in detail about clairaudience and clairvoyance?
We highly recommend you to study Module 9 of our course on The Etheric Double by Arthur E Powell which explains both those concepts and more on etheric sight!
The leaves, the branches and the trees
First, let’s talk about the Leaves. These people come into your life for just a moment—a season. They are bright, vibrant, and full of life when they arrive, bringing color and excitement to your world. But remember, just like the leaves on a tree, they are temporary. They take what they need—your energy, your kindness, maybe even a bit of your heart—and when the winds change or the weather shifts, they drift away. They’re not meant to stay. And you must understand, this isn’t a bad thing. Leaves are not evil or cruel; they are simply what they are: temporary. They come, and they go, and they leave behind memories, some good, some not so much. But you mustn’t hold on to them when it’s their time to leave. Let them go with the breeze, and remember them for the brief joy they brought.
Then, there are the Branches. Now, these folks are a bit different. They’re stronger, more substantial. When you first meet them, you think, “Ah, here is someone I can lean on.” And for a while, you’re right. They’re there for you, offering support, sharing good times, and standing by you through a few storms. But you have to be careful with branches. They seem sturdy, but if you lean too hard, put too much weight on them, they can snap. It’s not because they want to; it’s just that they aren’t made to carry the weight of everything. They might stick around for a few seasons, maybe even a few years. But eventually, the strain becomes too much, and they, too, will break away. You see, branches are conditional friends—they’re there when things are good or even moderately challenging. But when life gets truly tough, they might not be able to hold on. Appreciate them for what they are, but don’t mistake them for something they’re not.
And finally, the Roots. Oh, the roots. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a few of these in your lifetime. Roots are the ones who truly matter. They aren’t flashy, they don’t need to be seen, and they aren’t around just for the good times. No, roots are there through it all. The bitter winters, the scorching summers—they hold firm. They don’t do it for praise or recognition. They do it because they love you, plain and simple. They are the ones who will stand by you, even when the world seems to be crumbling around you. They are the steady, unyielding support beneath your feet, nourishing you, giving you strength, and keeping you grounded. Roots are rare and precious. When you find them, cherish them. Don’t take them for granted, because they are the foundation upon which your life is built.
As I pen my thoughts this day, I encourage you to look at the people in your life and see them for what they are. Celebrate the leaves, respect the branches, but hold on tight to your roots. As you journey through your life, you would probably see very clearly that the roots are what truly make life beautiful. They are a source of strength, joy, and peace. I hope you find your roots, and when you do, never let them go.
