0 Children of Atlantis: Keepers of the Crystal Skull Questions and Topics for Discussion After I wrote and published Children of Atlantis: Keepers of the Crystal Skull, many of my readers encouraged me to write a study guide that addressed key concepts, in particular the spiritual aspects of the story. Many resonated on a personal level with the story of Atlantis in the context of their life journey. Some had a shift in consciousness while others experienced an integration of a greater understanding within their existing framework of beliefs and spirituality. In the novel, a spiritual adventure, my intention was to introduce the reader to the energies at work in the final days of the Atlantean civilization in particular the clashing of the dark and light forces as representative of the ongoing struggle we face individually and as a civilization. Within the story of Atlantis and this book are many more stories that I feel will eventually be told. What follows is designed for both individual and group study to stimulate thought and to clarify some of the major themes presented throughout the book. My hope is that the reader will gain a greater experience through discussion. Instead of walking thru the book chapter by chapter, I have extracted common themes from each that represent a synthesis. Each major concept offers a brief explanation, questions for discussion and additional sources. The major concepts are:  Discovering who we are form our family  Synchronicity and experiencing coincidences  Awakening to a new spiritual vision of who we are  Life Purpose and destiny  Reincarnation and the Afterlife  Embracing the sacred in everything  Experiencing the energy  Self acceptance & Confronting our dark side (shadow)  The dilemma of the Light versus Dark  Preserving the wisdom of ancient Atlantis Discovering who we are from our family In the story we see an interesting dynamic at work in the relationship of the primary characters with their parents and the influence their parents had on them. Paredes, the archeologist childhood is dominated by the loss of his father during the Dirty War in Argentina and in his search for answers uncovers the truth of his birthparents. Alkur, the Atlantean must also address the traumatic loss of both parents early on and seeks revenge for their murders. He becomes stuck in the past and cannot move forward in his life until he frees himself from this childhood drama. Ilax, his spiritual guide helps him see this within himself. Eventually, he realizes only by forgiving himself and his enemies is he liberated to purse the life he is meant to live. Through forgiveness he transforms his hate and quest for revenge with a greater understanding of the meaning of his parents lives and their sacrifice. In the story Alkur’s father, Ellm was a man of impeccability, courageous and a good father and provider. Alkur respected and looked up to him he tries to emulate his example in his life. Later, Alkur realizes that he was embarking on a similar path as his father in safeguarding and preserving the sacred wisdom of his tribe from the Temple of the Sun and completing his father’s life purpose. He recognizes that being born to his parents was part of a bigger plan and that his true spiritual identity can be seen by looking at the truth of his family experiences. His parents lives and wisdom was exactly the stimulation he needed in order to develop his own viewpoint and to discover a new direction for his life. Even Salkuzzar and Saail, the antagonists share brief but intimate moments of recall of their relationships with their parents. The influence of early family is significant for most of us because it gives us a useful way to understand our childhood and life story from the beginning to now. Our early lives as children define who we become. Upon examining and reflecting on our lives we can see clearly (hopefully) the influence of our early family on how we evolved and moved out into the world and the meaning our lives. I often ask myself: Why did I choose to be born in to my parents and siblings? Why this family? What was I thinking? What was I supposed to learn from my family? Paredes achieves a greater understanding to some of these questions when he meets his stepfather in the meditation on the Island of the Sun and is told it is all part of a divine contract made beforehand. As souls prior to incarnating we choose our parents in order to evolve and they in turn at a soul level support us while working through their own evolution. From our soul’s perspective, our family is a central part of our life journey with each of us playing our respective roles, each member our co-star and partner. In the story we see that there is some closure for Paredes as he realizes that all the synchronistic events in his life and his past life in Atlantis were preparing him to share a unique truth, unique to himself and his experiences to the humanity. This was a dramatic shift for him from the scientific world of archeology to how to live life more fully and spiritually through Atlantean wisdom. The late inspirational author Wayne Dwyer in his book Inspiration relates the story of how in meditation he was told about why he chose his birthparents, in particular the alcoholic, controlling and abusive father who he could never forgive for his terrible childhood. He realizes that he chose his birthparents prior to his incarnation to teach him independence, resilience, overcoming obstacles and compassion. These were values and beliefs that later became the foundation of his career as an author of self-empowerment. 1. What was the significance of Paredes early childhood memory about his father? What memories do you have from your childhood? How would you describe them? (good, bad, painful, etc). What is the significance in your life now? How? 2. What kind of relationship did Paredes have with his father? Describe your relationship with your father. 3. What kind of relationship did Paredes have with his mother? Describe your relationship with your mother. 4. Alkur lost both parents murdered by the Temple of the Sun. Early on he was taught about the Law of One as a way of life. What did you think about the paradox between the teachings of the Law of One and Alkur’s desire for revenge for the murder of his parents? How do you reconcile this? Is it possible? 5. In the story a unique theme emerges in the relationship between fathers and sons. (Salkuzzar and Saail, Paredes and his father; and Alkur and his father, Paredes and Marti). What are some of the key concepts that emerge from this? 6. Alkur finally visits the resting place of his father and is able to forgive his parents murderers and find the peace that has eluded him. What does forgiveness mean to you? How important is it in your life? Further reading The Celestine Vision: Living the New Spiritual Awareness. James Redfield. Warner Books, 1997. Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling. Wayne Dwyer. Hay House, Inc. 2006. Synchronicity and experiencing coincidences When we step out of our comfort zone we allow our soul to expand into a greater arena of possibilities/potentialities. We embark on a path of exploration of who we are and what our unique purpose is. Along the way we encounter through our expanded perception synchronous events in the form of new experiences and allies who guide us to new horizons we could not dream of, always supported and evolving consciously. We soon realize that every event in our life leads to the next. How we accept it determines future events. Paredes after discovering the crystal skull recognizes the enormity of its powers as he becomes aware of his past life in Atlantis. Slowly, clues begin to emerge through synchronistic encounters and messages as he writes about Alkurs transformative journey. What he discovers is that there are many similarities in their lives and that their paths are interconnected. Alkur’s path leads him to a greater understanding of his inner wisdom and power to transform and his ego and lower self aspects and accept and integrate the different aspects of his persona. Paredes learns that the loss of his father and his tumultuous childhood created an evolutionary movement and resilience and a desire to bring more awareness and understanding around his life purpose. Both Alkur and Paredes recognize that they are embarking on a transformative journey of discovery of who they really are. There is an acknowledgment of a restless energy as a sign of needed change and deeper awareness. The hero’s journey requires them to step out of their comfort zone placing them on a new path; a destiny they could not initially see--that uses their greatest wounding to be of service to mankind. It’s a call to adventure away from the ordinary world, an acceptance of the call and entering into the unknown. There are tests and ordeals but eventually there is the reward and the journey home. They discover that every event in their lives leads to the next and how you accept it determines future events. Alkur eventually accepts the loss of his parents and Ampero and soon realizes that his anger and pain can be better channeled and transformed into love and forgiveness. There is a softening of his heart and this opens him to new possibilities moving forward. Paredes recognizes that he must reconcile his loss and accept the reality of his birth parents. He gains a greater appreciation and understanding of his childhood and that all the synchronistic twists and turns, obstacles, mistakes and successes were preparing him for a greater destiny. As a result, he was able to offer the world a particular truth that was unique to him and his experience. In the story Paredes has an unexpected encounter with Don Julio on the bus just at the moment in his life where he is trying to understand the strange happenings around him and what happened to his father. Was Paredes finding the crystal skull also a coincidence? At some level we realize that these “magical” events were destined for him and are in some way were supposed to happen when they did in order to shift his life in a new, more inspiring direction. Carl Jung, the Swiss psychologist called synchronicity the perception of meaningful coincidences. Jung maintained that synchronicity was a universal law that operated to move us toward greater growth in consciousness. In short, he felt that this is how the universe operates—a natural connecting principle of cause and effect with the universe responding to our consciousness and expectations. It is a gift of the universal flow of energy. Often when we experience a coincidence we take it for granted despite shaking our head in wonderment. However, how often do we consider, What was the message for me here? Why did this happen? What followed it? We see Paredes and Alkur on parallel tracks which seem to intersect along the way. Paredes writing about the past life has activated a series of coincidental events in his life galvanizing him to move forward as it reveals a new life purpose. As we experience synchronicity and embrace the coincidences in our lives we must trust the process and allow ourselves to be guided and to pay attention to everything especially the coincidences. We must notice everything and allow ourselves to go where our attention goes. Ask the universe “Show me what I need to know and the people/events that I need to have to fulfill my life destiny.” Dr. Wayne Dwyer said the following in his final book I Can See Clearly Now: “As I look back over my life, it is not a far reach for me to conclude that there is some kind of plan that is always at work, even if it is largely unknown as it unfolds. It is not a great stretch for me to conclude that this plan is being directed by the same force that keeps the planets aligned, opens the buds of all the flowers, and gives life to all manner of creation here and everywhere else in the universe as well. I now pay much closer attention to what shows up for me, and I’m willing to listen carefully to any inclination I might have an act accordingly, even if it leads me into unknown territory. Examine the major turning points in your life and look carefully at all the so-called coincidences that had to arise in order for you to shift direction. At that moment you think of as a coincidence, you had a free will and you made a choice. At that same moment there was something much bigger than you, something you’re always connected to, that was also at play. That “something” was setting up the details so that you could fulfill the purpose you signed up for when you made the leap from Spirit to form—from nowhere, to now here. The teachers are always there. Your degree of readiness to pay attention and listen carefully to your highest self, and act on what your intuitive self tells you, enlivens your awareness of your teachers. Sharpen your insight and be willing to trust that what you are feeling inside is what you should be doing, regardless of what everything and everyone around you might be saying to the contrary.” 1. What is the significance of Paredes synchronistic encounter with Don Julio? How have you experienced synchronicities in your life? Describe. 2. Describe your hero’s journey. What did you learn? What was the reward 3. The story dreams play an important part in experiencing coincidences. What was the significance of Alkur’s dreams and their message? How do Alkur’s dreams relate to what he faces in his life? Further reading Synchronicity—The Inner Path of Leadership. Joseph Jaworski. Bennet-Koehler Publishers, 2011. The Synchronicity Key: The Hidden Intelligence Guiding the Universe and You. David Wilcock. Penguin Random House LLC, 2014. Jung, Synchronicity and Human Destiny: C.G. Jung’s Theory of Meaningful Coincidence. Ira Progoff, 1987. I Can See Clearly Now. Wayne Dwyer. Hay House, 2014. Awakening to a new spiritual vision of who we are To better understand who we are we must understand the big picture of where we come from and where we are going. We are amazing star beings on an earth adventure having a physical experience and are One in the eyes of our Creator. There is a sacredness in living as we live in love, harmony and embrace all of creation. In the story Paredes becomes a bridge opening humanity’s collective memory of the Atlantean experiences as he contemplates and writes about his past life. As an Atlantean high priest he knew firsthand the power of the dark forces and the clash of the forces of the dark and light in that lifetime. He eventually realizes this same drama is unfolding in his current life and that his purpose is to right the scales-to open the sacred sites and portals to bring greater balance and prepare the earth for ascension as keeper of the crystal skulls. When we awaken to a new spiritual vision of who we are we recognize that in the eyes of our creator we are all One. From early on Alkur was indoctrinated in the Law of One. Alkur’s father was a high priest who reminded Alkur of the Law,“ the Law says there is no separation from God. We are all parts of the whole and each of our actions affects every creature. All life is a sacred gift worthy of respect. The earth is a living thing and we are the earths keepers. The Law of One is about freedom, the freedom to let our inner light shine through. We bring our unique selves to the world and allow others to do the same.” When we awaken to a new spiritual vision of who we are we acknowledge that there are times when we may feel lost, confused, lonely. We may have a feeling of loneliness and confusion and it feels like we have lost our way. Searching for answers often does not appear to come easily, as wanting to know why, and yearning for new inspirations. Yet very soon the light shines upon us and a new cycle will begin, full of new ideas, new inspirations. Paredes searches for answers for the disappearance of a father he never got to know, yet he finds that through his search that new opportunities and synchronicities develop leading him to answers and a better understanding of his past. A benevolent Universe acknowledges his positive intentionality and he meets Don Julio who provides information about his father and feels his father’s presence in his daily life. He also wants to know why he is the middle of the Altantean drama and where it will lead him. When we awaken to a new spiritual vision of who we really are we may experience apprehension moving out into the world and we doubt ourselves and our abilities and fear the future. In the story you could sense Alkur’s doubts about his ability to embark on a new destiny, to safeguard the crystal skull of his tribe for future generations and his inability to understand that he was ready. “I am not the right one to do this. I am not prepared to protect our knowledge. There are others more adept and advanced in the Order. Besides, how would I do it?” Ilax gently reminds him that he must go within to “embody the energies” and “remove the obstacles to love” that keep him from his purpose. In other words, embracing all his gift and talents and to trust in a higher power that is guiding him on his journey. Paredes also has to reconcile his “new” destiny and Don Julio reminds him of this that “it resonates with his soul” and “it’s what you were born to do.” Often our greatest obstacle on our journey is our fear of inadequacy-we may present what we think are “qualifications” or training to embark on. We fear that we will fail and doubt the inner wisdom of our higher self to move forward. When we awaken to a new spiritual vision of who we are our friendships and relationships may change. The changes within us change the rapport you have with some of our friends. As we change on the inside, our lives invariably change on the outside as well. Our life vision and perspective may change and we may find that we no longer have common interests with old friends. We may wonder if we will meet new friends with whom you can share close bonds. The angels will watch over you and your relationships and will help you make easy, love-filled transitions. At the same time be ready to receive new friendships. 1. What does being in divine Oneness mean to you? How do you experience this? 2. What do you do when you feel lost and confused? 3. What are your gifts and talents? How do you know you are using them? 4. How have your friendships changed since you have been on your spiritual journey? 5. Did Alkur make the right choice seeing Zonar? What would you have done? 6. Alkur feels very strongly about his belief in a conspiracy by the Temple of the Sun. Describe an experience where you felt strongly about a similar situation? What did you do? 7. Ilax tells Alkur that he must go “within” What does she mean? 8. Ilax fulfills a very important role as Alkurs mentor-spirit guide. Do you know your spirit guides? How important is spiritual guidance in your life now? 9. Alkur after his arrival on the new land enters a deep meditation where he asks the question “What will we face in the future?” What message did he receive and what eventually happened? 10. Paredes reveals in the story that he meditates. In one scene he asks that the mysteries of each symbol be revealed. What did he find out? What is the importance of having a meditation practice in revealing different aspects of your life? How important is it on the spiritual journey? 11. What role does Don Julio play in Paredes life? How is it like Ilax and Alkurs? How is it different? 12. What do you think the importance of the crystal skull is in the story? 13. What were some of the messages from the crystal skull? Further reading 52 Codes for Conscious Self Evolution. Barbara Marx Hubbard. Foundation for Conscious Evolution, 2011 The Edgar Cayce Handbook for Creating Your Future. Mark Thurston and Christopher Fazel. Ballantine Books, 1992. Life Purpose and Destiny Alkur is told early on that he has a destiny—to safeguard the skull of his tribe for future generations with the impending destruction of Atlantis. It was a part of his soul’s evolution. For Paredes his destiny unfolds with a new life purpose of spreading the message of the sacred skull and opening ancient portals around the world for the ascension of the planet. He soon realizes and Don Julio reminds him that he is destined for a new path in his life that uses all his “gifts and talents” to “bring more light into the world” Don Julio also tells him that there are no coincidences in the universe and that all his life experiences have prepared him for this moment. What is the meaning of destiny? Are we “destined” to follow a particular path or vocation? Merriam-Webster defines it as what happens in the future: the things that someone or something will experience in the future. How does this relate to my life purpose? Edgar Cayce said that “For each soul enters with a mission…” In other words, we were born into this life for a purpose. Cayce goes on to say that our life’s mission is an ongoing process of finding and revelation. There is a dynamic, unfolding characteristic to the purposefulness that that we have chosen by incarnating. He says that your souls purpose is not something that you find once and for all and put into a “trophy case.” Like the characters in our story our whole life has been a long road leading to this very moment in our soul’s evolution. Stop and think about this for a moment. Every moment we have lived, every experience has served a purpose for our soul, even those we consider “bad” or “terrible.” Edgar Cayce in his readings identified several themes related to understanding the purpose of the soul: 1. An expansion of consciousness—a sense of wonder. As you live your mission in life, a constant feeling of expanding awareness is created. Living your souls purpose will make you more conscious, and with that expanded consciousness comes a sense of wonder and awe. 2. Service to others—making a creative contribution to the world. You were born with intentions and the talents to create and to give in a manner that is perhaps better than any souls. In short, you are meant to serve others with a level of effectiveness unmatched by anyone else. You are unique in God’s creation. 3. Closeness to God. The living of one’s mission in life brings a deeper understanding of one’s relationship to the divine. As you truly begin to live what you were born to do, the accompanying experience is one of directly feelings Gods presence. For many this comes as a deep sense of being at peace—with themselves and all life. For others, it comes as a sense of love; for the first time in their lives they may be able to say that they really love other people and that they love themselves as well. 4. Purposefulness in all of life. Cayce said that living your souls purpose makes you begin to recognize and intuit purpose in other’s lives. Finding your own souls mission makes you want to help others discover and move towards theirs. 5. Joy in life. Living your souls purpose will bring you joy. Cayce went on to say that we need not expect of ourselves some “great deed” in life in order to feel that life had meaning; but rather fulfilling the purpose for which we were born would bring joy far exceeding the self-satisfaction that might come from the so-called “great deed.” 1. What are Paredes gifts? Is he using them to fulfill his life mission? 2. What did you love to do as a child? What has that told you about your life purpose now? 3. What do you think about destiny in your life? Do you feel all your life experiences have prepared you for this moment—life purpose? 4. What is your life purpose? How do you know? Further reading Discovering Your Souls Purpose. Mark Thurston. ARE Press. 1984 The Purpose of Your Life. Carol Adrienne. Harper, 1998 Reincarnation and the Afterlife In the story Paredes writes about a past life he had in ancient Atlantis. As a scientist it must have shocked his scientific mindset and training, yet he was open to learning from it. After all, although “past” loves and reincarnation is more widely accepted and understood today, it still is a difficult concept to accept. Many religions teach that we only have one life experience and then must face judgment and eternity. With the latest research, in particular the volume of literature on near death experiences and the pioneering work of Dr. Brian Weiss (Many Live, Many Masters), Dr. Michael Newton (Journey of Souls and Destiny of Souls) and Raymond Moody (Life after Life and The Light Beyond) we have overwhelming evidence that we have had more than one lifetime. Dr. Weiss’s work demonstrates that many health and life problems originate not in our childhood but in past lives. I have personally experienced this in my own journey and brought forth many gift and talents and wisdom from those lives into my present one. The genesis of Children of Atlantis: Keepers of the Crystal Skull was my exploration of a past life which has illuminated my present one. In the story Ilax tells Alkur about his father’s past life as a high priest and how he returned to complete his mission he had begun in a previous life in the current lifetime. At the end of the story Paredes is told by his deceased father about the meaning of his life and past lives. It is important that we use the knowledge of our past lives so that we can integrate them into our current lives. What is important to understand is that we don’t have to look at past lives to do this. You simply have to look at what is going on in this lifetime. Sometimes a past life