Divine Essence in Motion: A Unified Spiritual Framework
Divine Essence in Motion, created by Michael Cloke in 2024, is a transformative spiritual initiative that harmonizes profound principles from Advaita Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism. It is a modern path of awakening, inspiring individuals to recognize themselves as expressions of divine essence—unifying stillness, movement, transcendence, and immanence.
This framework serves as a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary living, blending the contemplative depth of Advaita’s non-dual philosophy with the dynamic vibrancy of Kashmir Shaivism’s spanda (divine pulsation).
The Vision Behind Divine Essence in Motion
Michael Cloke envisioned Divine Essence in Motion as a response to two common spiritual challenges:
1. The tendency to see stillness and dynamism as separate or opposing paths.
2. The difficulty of integrating profound spiritual truths into an engaged, creative life.
The initiative redefines liberation not as a withdrawal into silence but as living blissfully in the dance of life. It offers a unified understanding of consciousness as both an infinite stillness and a pulsating creative force, showing that peace and vibrancy are two sides of the same divine reality.
Core Philosophical Principles
Divine Essence in Motion is built on several core principles, integrating the strengths of its spiritual inspirations.
1. Unity of Stillness and Motion
– Stillness (Advaita): The essence of reality is an infinite, undifferentiated consciousness—Brahman. This is the silent ground of being, untouched by change.
– Motion (Kashmir Shaivism): The world is the dynamic play of the same consciousness—Shiva-Shakti. The pulsation (spanda) of awareness creates and sustains all experience.
– Divine Essence in Motion teaches that these are not separate but complementary: stillness grounds motion, and motion reveals the fullness of stillness.
2. Consciousness as the Ocean of Awareness
– The self (Atman) is not limited but is the dynamic ocean of universal awareness.
– Every wave, every movement—joy, sorrow, creativity, stillness—is an expression of the same ocean.
– Liberation is not a negation of the waves but a recognition that each is part of the ocean’s infinite play.
3. Liberation as Living Bliss
– Spiritual freedom (moksha) is not an escape from the world but a deep engagement with life as a celebration of divine essence.
– It merges the peace of Advaita’s realization (I am Brahman) with the ecstatic engagement of Shaivism’s dance of Shiva.
4. Transcendence and Immanence
– The ultimate reality is simultaneously beyond (transcendent) and within (immanent).
– It invites individuals to honor both the still, silent core of their being and their embodied, dynamic participation in the world.
The Framework of Divine Essence in Motion
The framework has three interconnected pillars:
1. Silent Awareness (Advaita’s Influence)
– Practices like meditation and self-inquiry cultivate a recognition of the silent awareness that underlies all phenomena.
– This stillness is the ground from which all movement arises, the space in which all experiences unfold.
2. Creative Engagement (Kashmir Shaivism’s Influence)
– Life is seen as a divine play (*lila*), where every action can be an expression of divine creativity.
– Movement and action are not distractions but opportunities to embody the divine pulsation of consciousness.
3. Unity Practices (Blending Stillness and Motion)
– Practices that integrate silence and action, such as dynamic meditations, embodied awareness techniques, and contemplative movement, help practitioners experience unity in duality.
– For example, walking meditation combines mindful motion with awareness of stillness, symbolizing the harmony of essence and expression.
Key Teachings
1. The Essence is Divine
– Every individual is an expression of divine essence, which is infinite consciousness in motion.
– There is no separation between the self, the world, and the divine; all are aspects of the same reality.
2. Embodied Liberation
– Liberation is not about renunciation but about embracing life fully, recognizing every moment as sacred.
– The path integrates Advaita’s inward focus with Kashmir Shaivism’s outward celebration, enabling a holistic transformation.
3. Dynamic Awareness
– Awareness is not static but vibrant and alive. Even in the midst of motion, one can experience the unchanging essence.
Practices in Divine Essence in Motion
1. Meditation and Self-Inquiry
– Rooted in Advaita, these practices help individuals transcend identification with the body and mind, awakening to the infinite stillness of their true nature.
2. Embodied Awareness
– Inspired by Kashmir Shaivism, this involves recognizing the divine in all experiences, from the mundane to the profound.
– Techniques like mindful movement and breath awareness invite practitioners to feel the pulsation of consciousness in their actions.
3. Integration Rituals
– Daily practices that blend silence and action, such as contemplative writing, dynamic yoga, and creative expression, embody the philosophy of stillness in motion.
4. Dialogues on Unity
– Discussions and reflections on ancient texts, adapted for modern understanding, deepen the intellectual and experiential grasp of non-duality.
Relevance to Contemporary Life
Divine Essence in Motion offers a deeply practical spiritual path, addressing the challenges of modern living:
1. Balancing Peace and Productivity
– It helps individuals find inner peace without disengaging from their creative and professional pursuits.
2. A Holistic Spiritual Language
– The framework uses accessible language and universal metaphors, making profound teachings relatable for diverse audiences.
3. Living with Purpose and Joy
– By recognizing life as an expression of divine essence, individuals can navigate challenges with resilience, joy, and authenticity.
The Unique Contribution of Divine Essence in Motion
This initiative stands out by seamlessly merging Advaita’s transcendence and Kashmir Shaivism’s immanence. It reframes liberation as living liberation, accessible to anyone willing to embrace both silence and dynamism.
Michael Cloke’s vision offers a profound spiritual language for the modern seeker, inspiring a life that is both deeply rooted in stillness and vibrantly alive in motion.
As the teachings remind us:
“You are the still ocean and the dancing wave. To live is to be both—Divine Essence in Motion.”
