Mikhaël Aïvanhov was born in 1900, in an area of Macedonia that is now part of Bulgaria. He met the Master Peter Deunov in 1917 and studied with him for 20 years. He was sent by Deunov to France in 1937, and was referred to as Master Omraam after his return from a year-long pilgrimage to India. He taught in France for the next 49 years. His teachings were given orally and later transcribed and translated for publication in many languages. Omraam promoted a natural and practical lifestyle, rich in spiritual practices that include silent meditation at dawn before the sunrise, a vegetarian diet, working closely with nature, and communion with divine spirits.

Omraam inspires us to imagine the New Year as alive and bringing us valuable gifts. He says in his teaching transcribed in the book, The New Year (Prosveta-usa.com):

“Yes, we must understand the new year better; we must go out to meet it in the deep conviction that it is a highly gifted living being and that it brings us valuable presents; we must learn to prepare a lot of space within ourselves so as to be able to receive this abundance of gifts; we must continually sweep out all the old junk that litters our hearts and minds, and make room for the new year even before it comes.”

Regarding the influence of the stars on the yearly cycle, he says:

“The Cabbalah also tells us that The New Year is influenced by the stars. The birth of a new year is like the birth of a child: it is the beginning of a life that will last just twelve months. When a child is born, one can draw up a horoscope based on the date and time of birth and thus foresee the principal events of the child’s life. And we can do the same for the birth of a new year; in fact you should know that the first day of the year determines the first month, the second day—the second month, the third day—the third month, and so on. So you must try to live, think, feel and behave as well as possible, at least during the first twelve days, so as to ensure an intelligent, luminous start to the year and thus influence and determine it favorably.”

So, Omraam’s teachings are the basis for a practice we can incorporate into our lives as the New Year approaches. The first day of January corresponds to the entire month of January. And we live that day in our thoughts, feelings, speech and actions as we would like the entire month of January to be. The second day of January represents the entire month of February, and so too, the third day corresponds to March, the fourth day to April, and so on through the twelve days and the twelve months.

We can take time to envision the peace and joy, harmony and contentment we would love our homes and our relationships to be filled with throughout each month of the year. This is an opportunity to create the beauty of a fulfilled and creative life through our focused and positive attention on each of the first twelve days of the year. Journaling what we would like to accomplish each month— our projects, relationships, careers, spiritual life, travel, study and reading, attaining new skills and developing unexpected new gifts—may be a valuable practice.

If we do the spiritual work during these first twelve days of January, we can lay a foundation and give a positive spin on the year. There will be a powerful co-creative energy that takes root within ourselves for the blessing of all life. In the Master’s words:

“So, let this be your work in the year ahead: start by fixing your sights on that ideal, that sublime goal: the Kingdom of God and His Justice on Earth. Secondly, be conscious and attentive and watch yourself to see whether you are coming closer or moving away from your ideal. And finally, a third point which is implicit in the others: devote all your energies and strength and all your capacities to accomplishing this task. In this way, your Will, Heart and Mind will all pull together in the same direction.”

Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov was a bearer of light who was accessible, enthusiastic, stimulating, and an example to others. He practiced what he preached to the fullest extent. His life was an example of a perfect unity between his thoughts, words and actions. He always encouraged others to achieve this in their own lives.

His books include A New Dawn; A New Earth; Alchemy, Astrology, Magic, Kabbalah; Angels and the Other Mysteries of the Tree of Life; Christmas and Easter in the Initiatic Tradition; and Cosmic Balance—just to list a small percentage of his teachings transcribed by his students and released in close to 100 publications, including CDs and booklets.

In our Alchemy Exchange bookstore in downtown Livingston, you will find a complete set of the Master Omraam’s books in English, including the annual Daily Meditations of previous years, as well as numerous audios and videos. We also have a few copies of his own master, Peter Deunov’s works in English, as well as biographies of Deunov’s life and teachings.

Mention this article for a 10% discount on all store items through February of 2023. The Alchemy Exchange Store is located at 130 North 2nd Street, Livingston. You may also connect with us online at www.heartscenter.org. Or call the store at (406) 333-7172