It has been two years and 4 months since beginning this path of exploration as an Esoteric Student.
Essentially it is a journey of learning how to gain back some ground within my mental and physical health, and wellbeing.
During this time I have travelled between spaces and groups of others who all, in a great variety of different ways, are seeking, learning, teaching, and sharing experiences which are richly dense with wisdoms; for the mostpart in the names of love, life, and peace across mediums, formats, platforms accessible to everyone....one way or another.
I am aware that I have only just reached a tip of the preverbial iceberg. But this iceberg is more akin to a snowcone of sweetness and a variety of flavours, with plenty more still to discover.
The whole point of writing a blog, is to not only utilise the method for my own relief, but to share with others my findings in hope of making a difference to at least some-one persons out there, wherever there may be.
A huge part of my life over the last couple of years has been spent within communities of people who have all found their ways to the best of what virtual reality has to offer; at the bleeding edge and forefront of physical and mental wellbeing.
For a person like me, who can have a hard time socially, virtual reality has offered me a way of being able to develop personally, and experiencially grow gradually; comfortably.
Which brings me to the point of writing this post...
To get to this point in my life has taken a lot of peoples time, energy, guidance, and care converging unto myself.
Throughout which I have spoken a great many things about how I want to live my life, and my wants of things I'm to do once I am in a settled position to do so. And while I have spoken of my grattitudes along the way...it is now the time to start putting the money where my mouth is. This horse has been led to the water...nothing more can be done for me and I must drink.
So here are my pledges of intention birthed of grattitude.
Removing Barriers
Everyone faces barriers in life which come in as many forms as there are people, and my goal is to try in small ways to alleviate some which I have faced myself, which I hope can be of service to others.
Esoteric Student Library
Originally, I created an online Esoteric Student Library filled with books, and essays, available to download instantly, for free for everyone.
This was my first conception and notion of the inception to the act of barrier removal in order to help people on their journeying and become their own Esoteric Sudent.
While limitations can be useful in personal development and growth, brick walls can end paths before they begin. The internet can be a brick wall for many people when trying to scour and locate things such as books.
You may end up somewhere uncouth, downloading viruses for example. Or never find what your looking for, heck, how do you even know what to look for when first setting out?
Since creating it though, I have took the decision to not risk any chance of issues with copyrights and things of the sort by having to reinstate a partial barrier.
Currently, if one should happen upon the link to the library it will land you onto a 404 page in its place.
However, all people need is a Gmail account and to send an email to library@esotericstudent.com providing a Gmail address to be added onto the permitted users access list and hey presto, you're good to go.
This is live, and available to do right now.
In fact, I think it retains an element of the esoteric, mystery aspect to all of this in it having to be done this way but be quick because I am still toying with the idea of it becoming a membership perk.
With over 40k different books, files, documents, essays and images in my collection being uploaded to it over time, it is for sure something to check out.
Something I am missing in my life is responsibility, accountability, and routine.
Being held to account is important for personal development. Being dependable, and forming structure to one's life, with a solid commitment has to be built upon solid foundations.
With these things comes purpose and meaning to the why's and what's we do.
So the next announcements are things which are reasonably within the borders of what I can keep up with regularly.
Esoteric Student Events Calendar and Resources Directory Database
While on my adventures I have attended many events, and found resources across multiple medium formats, and platforms accessible to everyone.
So, from February 2024, I will be posting the events schedule daily to EsotericStudent.com in a dedicated section, and provide daily, an email to anyone who chooses to receive it.
Containing all the necessary information, such as platforms, devices required, links, timezones, community's, genre/category, and so on, this will be a one-stop solution designed to remove as many barriers to access as possible towards helping not only those who wish to find and attend such events, but to help those who have events to be found.
Alongside this is an easy to use and search directory, containing information of those in the wider health and wellbeing community who have something to share, safely and of value.
This includes any group, event, and sessions leaders personal projects who you may meet at the events scheduled, as well as attendees.
Since the closing of a virtual reality social platform AltspaceVR it became glaring that there are people and pockets of communities out in the wilds now, from the AltspaceVR days who were affected by its demise due to ASVR having an events board which was easy to follow.
Losing that was detrimental to many, including myself, and my hope is that bridges can be begun to be built crossing the gaps, but also revitalised by others sharing this information and putting it out there too. And I know some are also working on do the same.
The goal is to not only bring together the old school, but to bring many fresh faces to these events and to broaden the wider health and wellbeing community of which we are all a part of.
The objective of bringing people together, and promoting inclusivity, is the theme I wish to continue carrying forward into as many aspects of Esoteric Student as I can; which brings me to these next couple of announcements.
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| Medoké event banner for VitalCon 2024 |
Medoké
At some point along the way, quite a while ago, 18 months roughly, discovering the aforementioned inspired me to want to have my own small event in virtual reality.
I wanted to interview people in front of a small live audience, record it and create a podcast.
The premise being centered around the notion that everybody is unique, and no one life experience is the same as any other, everybody has at least one peice of wisdom that nobody else has.
So in 6 word or less, I ask what is the wisest, most unique to you, and valuable life lesson that you would like to put out into the world?
And the conversation goes on from there.
An Evolution of this format is...Medoké!
What in the world is Medoké?! Is something you may be finding yourself wondering...
Something which has helped me so so much in these couple of years is meditation. Prior to venturing forth as an Esoteric Student I had never meditated, but that changed when I met the wonderful over at 'Together With Tripp', formerly known as EvolVR.
Attending their events multiple times each day in virtual reality had an instant big impact in my life, even while at first I literally had no idea what it was exactly we were supposed to be doing. So for a while there I was doing a different style to the rest of those there...oops.
I can't thank them enough, the core community welcomed me with open arms, and has only ever shown me love and kindness. In my own way, I am working towards returning to them in kind, all that they have offered, and all that I have taken...but more on that shortly.
I have found other groups and communities out there in the wilds who run different styles, and themes, and informational nuggets of gold, just like Together With Tripp also does.
At these events people have check-in rounds, and check-outs too, where those who are there share their experiences, and briefly touch on things which arose during the session.
With a vast array of community members, both diverse and rich with knowledge, and experience, many things spoken catch my attention when it comes to peoples personal practices, but the sessions come to a close and I'm left to wonder, wanting to know more. I know I can't be the only one.
I even have heard it mentioned by some that they would like to try their hand at leading a meditation to a live audience, and present to others their favourite practices, myself included has said and thought this. I also wonder how many think it but haven't said it out loud?
But where can we find a live audience and the space setup to present our practices?
In virtual reality, a hugely popular activity people really enjoy is VR Kareoke.
At this point I think you know whats coming next...Medoke is the combination of meditation and kareoke...Medoke is meditation kareoke!
Inspiration is infectious, and I found myself saying this not long ago, "If we can find inspiration within our-'self'; the rest will follow, as we already have what we need..."
I strongly believe it to be true, I must do because I said it while inspired, as a description to how I interpret the feeling present and in that moment, with awareness and curiosity.
And so my hope and aspiration is to provide people with the platform to be inspired, and empowered to guide others for 10 minutes, during which, the space is yours, and your audience.
But I can't provide the space alone; alas...I am not alone.
Vitality ReAwakened, is a very special community I met during the time I spent in AltspaceVR.
Created by Anita, and Kaiju and Jose, have built a strong foundation which at the core, is aimed at removing barriers for people to find, revisit, and ReAwaken our Vitality.
It is something which they have consistently providing throughout the whole time I have known them. And they have projected a lot of really great, positive and inspirational events in virtual reality.
The barriers Vitality ReAwakened removes includes providing people with a space, and platform, to teachers, guides, leaders, doctors, professors, people who have something to share, and students.
And this includes myself, with Esoteric Student. For which I'm immensely grateful to Anita and the team of creators who collaboratively make any of this possible.
Thank you Vitality ReAwakened!
So...Medoké, what to expect?
At this 1 hour and 20 minute event, 2/3 people will have the floor to lead a 10 minute meditation each, with a short interview by the host, Esoteric Student, and an oportunity for the guide and audience to engage with each other, right after, prior to the next guides time.
We are in need of participants for the alpha phase, during which we will better determine timing and structure for future events.
You are a perfect candidate if you would like to stretch your limits, experience something new and amazing, and be a part of setting the foundation for a unique event that will touch many lives over time!
If you would like to apply, or for more information please send an email to medoke@esotericstudent.com
“Medoké"
The community project I'm involved with, VitalCon, is coming up really soon, January 3rd it all kicks off.
It is being an eye opening experience, seeing some of what happens behind the scenes of, what is scheduled as of now, a showcase of sixteen events!
I myself have settled into the project, and my roles, of which some are born again unto me from previous experiences.
Esoteric Student though, is from the pov of a journalistic, experientialist, documentarian, aka blogger. Not just words though.
So, now it is time to end this transmission of bounty, by saying that I hope a happy holiday to all...
Please do check out VitalCon 2024's website if you're at all curious.
Until next time friends.
