Photography by Tom Youngholm — Bryce Canyon

Intervista a Tom Youngholm: “Vi spiego perché il Bar Celestiale è ancora attuale” added by Carmen Bartolone on 1 Aprile 2020

TOM YOUNGHOLM INTERVIEW FOR MYWHERE: “THIS IS WHY THE CELESTIAL BAR IS STILL ACTUAL”

ITALY – Tom Youngholm’s Celestial Bar came out in 1994, a highly successful book in the States as well as in the Bel Paese. Here is my interview with the author. Twenty years ago the book The Celestial Bar came out when you hear about energy and chakras sounded like something weird and linked to that current which was then called New Age. Despite this, Tom Youngholm became a celebrity for some even in Italy the book had a remarkable success, so much so that today there is an Italian fanpage on Facebook. “The Celestial Bar”, metaphysical novel, in certain autobiographical aspects is alive for the universality of the concepts it exposes.

About 20 years ago, it came out your first book “The Celestial Bar”. How does it fit it nowadays after 20 years from the first issue’

I feel that The Celestial Bar is still extremely relevant in today’s world. 25 years ago I created Digger to be, in writer’s terms, “an everyman” or I should say “an everyperson” 😉 … a character that anyone could identify with. The challenges that Digger faced, I believe, are still the challenges many people face today…learning to let go of ‘old” ideas, people, ways of being, feeling love in all that we do, and trying to find oneself-the higher self/authentic self.

I believe that Ahmay’s favorite saying “Your focus is your reality” is still a very powerful message. More and more people are still focused on the past which usually brings about feelings of anxiety or the future which brings about feelings of worry.

The nightmare that started the book and was resolved in the end, explored the theme “Your biggest fear is yourself.” This was an actual nightmare that I had and was a huge foundational concept that has assisted me in my decision–making process over many decades. This theme is most definitely applicable today. What is the motivating factor in your decisions; fear or love.

UP -The Universal Principles – are still guidelines for our lives in the 21st Century. A few examples are that “All energy moves toward balance,” still reminds us that life is always changing, sometimes one step forward and two steps back. Don’t get lost in all the different machinations of politics, climate-change, and your personal dramas. Realize that at the root of all that clutter is our journey trying to get back into balance.

Do you think the theme explained in the book is current?

I guess you would have to ask each person what theme they thought was portrayed in the book. But in terms of the foundation of the book’s wisdom, the UP  – Universal Principles, I believe that they are very much current and relevant in today’s terms.

Did you want to be a writer or it all came out by itself?

I never wanted to be a writer. In fact, I had never taken a writing class or workshop in my life. But I have always been a storyteller and was able to translate some of that knowledge into my writings. Basically, I took many of my personal and metaphysical experiences and integrated them into what I learned from my guides-Ahmay, Paula and “the gang” at The Celestial Bar. My guides kept pushing me to write but I kept resisting for several years. I had to get over my fear of writing, my fear that people would not want to read this spiritual stuff, and my fear that sharing my experiences would bring about ridicule and judgement from others. (Ahhhh!! the whole other treasure trove of learning lessons that not only come from the writer’s materials but also from the writer’s inner journey.

Will you write a sequel?

20 years ago, I wrote a sequel to Digger’s adventures called In the Shadow of the Sphere. Visionary Fiction, the genre that my book, The Celestine Prophecy and The Way of the Peaceful Warrior fall into, is difficult to write. Fiction writing is more about showing rather than telling, engaging readers through emotion more than ideas/concepts. Visionary Fiction usually has stronger concepts/ideas rather than story and characters. I tried, with my sequel, to meld more story and characters and use more metaphors for introducing spiritual concepts. It took me 4 years to complete with numerous re-writes…but it was then that I felt I found the “writer within me.” I began to enjoy the writing process especially the creative aspect.

 It was different when I wrote Mastering the Art of Balance: A Practical Guide for Living Authentically. That non-fiction book attempted to break down/explain all the concepts within The Celestial Bar. I tried to provide the reader with concepts, examples, discussion points, and exercises to help with their understanding of the Universal Principles and PIES; Physical, Intellectual/Mind, Emotional, and Spiritual.  

 In the last few days both Italy and Europe are dealing with this Corona virus (hitting hearth chakra), it started in China and it is travelling around the all globe…

What do you think society needs nowadays to work  it out ?

Since you asked me this question 3 weeks ago so many things have happened and are now also occurring here in the U.S. I feel there are many ways to approach your question of “society working it out.” Basically though, I believe that everything stems from the individual; that the manifestations of our society are just a collective of like –minded beliefs and behaviors. So coming from a personal perspective, look at the aspects of PIES.

First of all, on the Physical side obviously fortify your body with all that will make it strong and eliminate all that makes it weak.

Remember that your Emotions usually stem from your beliefs – psychologically it is called Cognitive Behavioral Theory. So ask yourself what are your beliefs about yourself, the government, your family, society, etc. that are tied /connected to the CV-19. Then identify your emotions that come from each of those beliefs. 

Can you reframe your beliefs to create a different perspective? What emotions are tied to those perspectives/expectations?

One example of this process might be a personal belief of:

“With all of these governmental restrictions, I believe that I have no control over where to eat, play or work.” I feel frustrated and angry.

While that belief and emotional response is very understandable the more you focus on that perspective, the more intense you will feel those emotions and the more unhappy you will probably feel. To take control and change that emotion, you can reframe your belief to “This alone time offers me the opportunity to appreciate my private time, so maybe I can meditate, hike, journal, have heartful conversationis with friends and family, or ???” Coming from that belief/perspective can probably bring about feelings of appreciation, peace, and calmness.

Spirituality, I believe is mostly about connection and acceptance/love. Again everything begins with you, so from one perspective this challenging time offers the opportunity to be more connected with yourself, nature, and others other than physically.

When CV-19 first became known, the first concept from The Celestial Bar that hit me was the UP Universal Principle – Everything is Interconnected. One might not think much about that concept during their daily life but yet it is always present. We can see on a Physical level how much these viruses affect everyone. On an Emotional level we can feel the fear as it spreads around the world even quicker. Remember that Everything is Energy and each emotion has its’ own VF – Vibrational Frequency. So if fear can spread from one to another so can love, compassion, forgiveness, and gratefulness. You can practice that truth during your isolation: first on yourself and next act as if you were a radio transmitter and envision sending out those radio, those frequencies of love, to all.

Another point of view, from this UP of interconnection, is from the opposite perspective – if one is not interconnected than one is feeling separate.  Turning a bit to politics this theme is playing out especially in U.S. The major approach seems to be from a tribalism philosophy – Us versus Them: this is the anti-thesis to “We are Connected,” the opposite for our human needs and the needs of our soul. This lower human developmental approach divides us as a species and deters us from coming up with solutions that are beneficial for all. The feeling of separateness manifests as fear, anger, and loneliness. Used as a foreign policy it creates walls of stone, walls of mind and ideas, walls of lack of cooperation, and walls of un-trust. Used as a personal philosophy or as unconscious behavior, Us vs. Them creates separateness, loneliness, anger, violence, etc.

On the positive side, one can’t change anything if you are not aware of it. Of the many aspects that CV-19 is bringing about is a reminder about this concept that Everything Is Interconnected.

So where in your life are you not feeling connected? What beliefs do you need to reframe? What can you do to be more connected to yourself, your family, your community?

I felt joy in my heart when I saw Facebook posts of Italians singing and also playing musical instruments from their balconies.

So simple.

So easy.

So creative.

So loving.

So connecting.

 Eventually, scientists will find a cure for this virus but will we find a cure for our souls?

I believe that Spirit is not be bound by viruses, or governments, or leaders, or hate, or ignorance, or even apathy. Our individual and collective Spirits will find a way to connect and accept and love through this crisis. You and I will find a way.

A collection of thought-provoking and inspirational writings
by Tom Youngholm

The Pond

Reflecting all that fell into its sight, the deep, clear pond captured the rich blue sky, billowy clouds, emerald-green trees, and a tiny portion of Mount Shasta. With no one around for miles, I contemplated what had brought me to this place.

When I was younger you would’ve never seen me pick up or even read a book like this, never mind write a story for one. I was a “guy” and proud to be of the logical, rational, and practical persuasion. Several years ago, though, I began to experience mystical events that changed my perception of the world. But like a morning fog that gradually dissipates with the rising of the sun, the impact of those mystical events slowly faded with the onslaught of everyday realities.

Then over a period of a few months I experienced being with my mother, who was struggling painfully with breast and lung cancer. I was also laid-off, or should I put it in the corporate vernacular, “downsized,” or is it “right-sized”? After my mother’s death, I took a much-needed vacation. Not knowing where I wanted to go, I just packed my car and headed north on Highway 101. Two days later when I saw the magnificence of Mount Shasta topped with snow; I decided to camp out at its base. It was a beautiful place with deer roaming the campground every morning and evening. The trees, with their expansive reach toward the limitless sky and their roots driven deep into the earth, enveloped me with comfort.

The next day a man told me about a special place where I could see actual drawings, petroglyphs, from hundreds, maybe thousands of years ago. He scribbled a map onto a used napkin and insisted that I go. Following the child-like treasure map, I drove south on Interstate 5 and exited at the Railroad Museum. Heading up a hill, I turned left at a fork in the road and proceeded a half-mile before parking my car. Hiking down a steep narrow trail that dropped precariously into a small valley, I was to listen for running water. When the small stream became visible, I was to look for three huge granite boulders where the petroglyphs were etched. Miraculously, I found them and was indeed thoroughly intrigued. My mind filled with all kinds of possibilities about their meanings, their origins, their creators.

So there I was on a hot afternoon, by myself, sitting on a long, flat slab of granite. I gazed upstream and watched how the melted snow squeezed between boulders and earth and tumbled over rocks. At my feet, the stream formed a tiny but deep pond before it narrowed, once again, continuing its journey toward the ocean.

Sitting cross-legged on the smooth boulder, I stared out over the clear pond. All of a sudden I heard a buzzing by my head as a thin, blue stick with wings flew haphazardly around me. The dragonfly flitted in front of my face and then landed on the knuckle of my left thumb. I was dumfounded and astonished by the boldness of this creature.

The dragonfly momentarily dashed off to the edge of the pond and then flew back landing on the exact same spot of my thumb. The silent exchange lasted only a few minutes but it seemed like a lifetime. I felt as if I’d been “touched.” I can’t explain what that really means, except to say that I felt intrinsically connected with this beautiful insect. As silly as it sounds, it was the deepest connection I’d ever felt with anyone or anything. That remembrance, though, stimulated my previous feelings of disconnection and loneliness. With no job, no intimate relationship, and both my parents dead, I felt engulfed by life’s hard realities.

When the dragonfly flew away, questions flooded its absence. How had I allowed my previous mystical experiences to escape me? How had I lost my sense of Spirit? Why hadn’t I focused on staying connected with nature, with myself, with others? As the winged-creature flew by once again, I heard a gentle answer to my questions, “Because you have allowed life’s “illusions” to fill your awareness, your consciousness.” The soft voice had resonated from a room somewhere deep within me, a room that had just been opened by the touch of that dragonfly. As I allowed my thoughts and experiences to sift through me, I reminded myself that it was always my choice where I focused my awareness.

The sun slid out from behind a cloud and sent beams of light sparkling across the pond. I wondered how nature in its simplicity could arouse such awe. As I continued to gaze over the reflective pond, a translucent shimmering caught my eye. I thought it was a butterfly swimming under the water. Immediately, I dismissed the illogical observation. With that thought, the aberration disappeared. 

Disappointed, I let go of my rational mind and brought my attention back to the silvery particles of light. After a few minutes, to my amazement, not one but several of the creatures appeared. The only way I can describe them is to say that they looked like butterflies--butterflies with diaphanous wings studded in dancing sparkles of sunlight. Most of them glided over the surface, but two undulated beneath the water. As the magical creatures played before me, I felt my lips curl into a boyish grin. It was the knowing smile of a child whose beliefs in fairies, elves, and magic had just been realized.

When my logical mind interceded again, the water fairies immediately melded into the random sparkles of sunlight—and disappeared. I spent the next couple of hours playing hide and seek with these sylphs, or whatever one wants to call them. As I watched and even waded in the pond, they appeared and disappeared with the change of my focus.

It’s difficult to tell you what I experienced that afternoon. That’s a bit embarrassing for me to admit because it is now my career—I’m a visionary writer and speaker, so I’m supposed to be able to transmit the mystical into form, into words. But the truth of the matter is that the full essence of my, or any others, mystical moments are impossible to capture. That’s because they reside out of reach of the logical mind, beyond the limits of our words, preconceptions, and beliefs, just a dream away from our understanding.

Can a picture of the Grand Canyon unfold one’s experience within its majestic walls? Can a video of childbirth demonstrate the depth of love and connection a woman feels as she gives physical life to a soul? Can any words ever fully express what it’s like to be touched by a fairy, an angel, or the Divine? Those moments are such personal experiences, yet they are available to all of us.

It’s been eighteen years since that mystical afternoon took place. Sadly, I have to say that a dragonfly has never again landed on me, and I have not seen those mysterious, sparkly creatures again. Since that time I have lived a rollercoaster ride of memorable highs and lows. And yes, I have had a few other mystical twinklings. Yet there are few moments that have clung to me with such clarity as that hot summer afternoon by the cool pond. 

What I can tell you is that there is never a time when I hear or see a dragonfly that I don’t feel a deep connection. And when I notice the glittering of sun or moonbeams dancing on an ocean, a lake, or a puddle, a big, boyish grin always comes to my face. With that sense of connection or with that smile, I’m reminded about the thin veil that separates the “real” world from the mystical one. I’m reminded of how the slightest change of focus can bring magic to any of my ordinary moments.

So now, when I’m caught up in everyday realities and find myself face-to-face with a clerk or a co-worker, a friend or a foe, a loved one or a boss, I try—I’m not always successful, but I try—to feel the dragonfly sitting on their words and see the sparkling water fairies swimming in their eyes.

Reprinted from Hot Chocolate for the Mystical Soul by Arielle Ford

PEIS on Earth

"It's just one thing," the wild eyed, tough and gritty cowboy played by Jack Palance tells Billy Crystal in the movie, "City Slickers."  That's how "Curly" explains the meaning of life, raising one dirty-nailed index finger to signify, "just one thing."

I'm not so sure that it's all that simple.  For many people that "one thing" ends up being too myopic.  If you view yourself and your world with too narrow of a perspective the answers to your questions will follow suit.  This can lead to an array of difficulties that will inevitably befall you, such as addictions, alienation, deep-seated anger, and so on.

But I do believe that the pot at the end of the rainbow, the missing piece of the puzzle, the magical key that we are all looking for is . . . (for those who can't see me, I'm pointing my clean-nailed, ink-smeared index finger) . . . that "one thing" we are all truly searching for is not a job, an object, a role, a mantra, or really any thing; it is a constantly changing dynamic process known as BALANCE.

Balance of what you might ask.  (That's a great question.  Remember life is not so much in having the "right" answers, but in asking the "right" questions.)  Now to answer your question: balance of PEIS (pronounced "peace")--physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.  These are the four aspects that comprise who we are.  In truth, we are Spirit reflected in the physical, emotional, and intellectual.  In this previous statement lies the answer to the question that eventually gets asked: Who am I?  Until we ask that question and come to some similar response, I believe we will always be searching and life will be more of a mystery than it needs to be.

We need to live life and feel--not think--how and to what extent PEIS is to interact within our lives.  So here we are, a wonderful luminous light source called a soul who is experiencing life through reflections of the physical, emotional, and intellectual.  For most of us, including myself, many decisions have been based on the superficial belief that our essence is mostly physical.  Therefore in our search for happiness, love, and fulfillment, we naturally gravitate to the physical for our answers.  But then when we get what we thought we were looking for, we still feel a void or that "missing something."  Our void only becomes filled when we begin to balance each aspect of our PEIS--physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual--and then integrate the four aspects within one another.

Well then, to be in perfect harmony, should we give 25 percent of our attention to each of those four aspects?   The truth is, I don't know what the percentage should be for every person.  This planet is a school called Earth and we each have our own lessons to learn about being in total balance.  Call that balance "God," "Oneness," "Heaven," or whatever you like.  Every soul needs to find her own balance in her own unique way.    

In the beginning I used to call my obstacles "battles" between spirit and mind, or emotion and intellect, or any combinations thereof.  Now I feel it and know it as a dance among all four aspects of PEIS.  Or you might experience the interactions of PEIS like music-like listening to one of the old classical pieces composed by Bach or Beethoven.  Within that piece of music several themes interweave among the wind section, the brass section, and maybe the string section.  During the music the various themes rise and fall in intensity, from dominant to diminuendo.  All of those themes need to be there for the music to be full, rich, and complete.  If you were to remove any one of them, the piece of music would sound flat: it would be missing something.

But how do we find that balance?  I believe there are certain principles that govern the physical, as well as the metaphysical, universe.  In my novel, The Celestial Bar, I explain them in detail.  But let me show you an outline of what  I call the Universal Principles and their Laws of Energy.

Universal Principles

EVERYTHING IS ENERGY

Love is the essence of all energy:
feel it in all that you do.

Energy Has VF 

(Vibrational Frequencies)
Humankind’s task is to raise theirs.

Energy Designs Form

Use it wisely.

Energy Must Move Freely

—like water downhill:
let it go.

Energy Is Limitless and Powerful

All you ever need is right before you.

ENERGY IS INTERCONNECTED

The universe is a Whole, comprised of energies that interact, share, and create.

Energy Is a Reflection

To change the world, change yourself.

Energy Moves in a Circular Fashion

Be aware of all that you think, feel, and do—it will come back to you a hundred–fold.

ENERGY JUST IS

Let go of all judgments and expectations: you are perfect in this moment.

ENERGY IS MOVING TOWARD BALANCE

Know that you are of spirit reflected in the physical, emotional, and intellectual (PEIS).
Your task is to be in harmony with yourself, with others, with your planet, and with the Oneness.

The more we live these principles, the more our life becomes fulfilled with purpose, love, and joy.  If you can remember what occurred in the exact moment of one of your triumphs, I'll bet that your body and emotions were moving freely, that you felt a strong connection to whatever or whomever you were with, and that you were totally "in the moment" with no judgments.

The challenges in our life occur when we do not align ourselves with these principles.  One of the Laws of Energy is that Energy Must Move Freely.  When you experience pain or discomfort, there is a pretty good chance that energy is stuck somewhere within you.  If it is in the body, we experience physical pain, addictions, illness, or disease.  In the emotional self, it may be felt as jealousy, depression, or rage.  The intellect may exhibit it as an anxious reactive cycle, obsession, or fear.  When you have the belief that the world is separate, you move contrary to two Universal Principles: Energy is Interconnected and Energy Just Is.  This belief of separateness will bring alienation, fear, violence, prejudice, hate, and war.

Harmony with the Earth

Given our need to seek personal balance, how do we place ourselves in harmony with our planetary home? By using the same Universal Principles.  Here are just a few examples:

Energy has a vibrational frequency, so get out into nature and feel it.  Let it resonate within every cell of your body.  Notice how nature has a natural calming/balancing effect upon your body, emotions, mind, and spirit.

Energy Must Move Freely.  Discover where we are stopping the natural flow of our resources: construction and highway development, water management, wildlife habitats, etc.  Then act to ensure that flow of energy.

Because All Energy is Interconnected, whatever we do to ourselves will be felt and reflected on our planet.  Pay attention to how you interact with others and Earth.  Truly see and feel the world as an extension of yourself.

Energy Designs Form; in other words, our thoughts and beliefs about who we are and how we should act will be manifested in our environment as well as our local, state, federal, and international laws and policies.  Think, feel, and act in ways that will bring harmony to yourself and Earth.

Earth as a Metaphor for Self

Then how can we view what is happening around us?  Remember Energy is a Reflection, so Earth reflects back to us our own journeys.  Where are the earthquakes within you? Where are you feeling internally your terra firma shaking?  What can you do to feel safe, to create a firm base on which to walk your life?  Where are the volcanoes within you?  Where is the energy not flowing freely? What do you need to do to release that energy before it causes damage?  Within your life, where do you feel that you will be swept away, torn apart, drowned, or burned up?

Again, it is not so much in having the "right" answers, but in asking the "right " questions.  As you look around and see this planet with all of its beauty and destruction, you might ask yourself, "How is it that I can create peace on Earth?"

Know in that moment it is possible.

Know in that moment, that one finger--your finger--is pointed deep within you.

Know in that moment it is the balance of PEIS that you seek.  

Know in that moment that, by acting on that awareness, you will truly achieve PEIS on Earth!

—By Tom Youngholm
Reprinted in Visions Magazine 1995

Authors Note 

If you have read my earlier material you’ll notice that I have changed the acronym of PEIS to PIES. When I wrote Mastering the Art of Balance the order of PIES was needed for logical flow in order to better explain the material–most emotions come from our pre-established beliefs (I)–thus the E after I. In my earlier fictional material I was more focused on the reader pronouncing PEIS as peace.