Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Summer Adventures
I just got back from a Pagan Potluck Picnic and belated Litha [Summer Solstice] over at Lothlorien in southern Indiana. What an adventure! I got to spend some wonderful quality time with other members of my Coven and friends from another Coven in our same Tradition. The nature sanctuary / campground is a beautiful place unto itself, and my experience there was made all the more enjoyable by the good company! I look forward to returning to Lothlorien soon -- and returning to my Coven even sooner!
It'd be nice if my whole life were all sunshine and rainbows, but alas, not today. My finances are still in a sorry state, the housing co-op I've wanted to start with friends isn't materializing, and I still haven't gotten a response to last week's job application. But hey -- I have gotten my finances far more organized, so even if I can't get a second job this summer, I won't starve!
Spiritually speaking, I've been doing work that goes beyond what I can share in a few words in a blog entry. Basically though, I'm doing some deep healing work on that bit of nastiness that I thrust upon myself years ago -- namely, the moment when I consciously willed myself to stop having feelings. [Here's a free tip -- BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!!!] I'm also working on some of the same issues I was earlier -- fears of scarcity, fears of failure, fears of life in general not being safe or meaningful. The more grounded I become, the more I appreciate the fact that such healing takes time. I've got a lifetime though, so let's see how it goes.
On one final note, my whole Revolution of One project is going well. The book is nearing completion, and the Resource Packet for the workshops is complete. My professional life is on the verge of launching me headlong into a new life adventure that I hope will bring a great deal of hope and inspiration to as many people as possible. So even if the circumstances that surround you sometimes look grim, take heart. You, too, can become a Revolution of One!
I'm not quite ready to go to sleep yet, but I've got work in less than 8 hours, which means I need to wake up in 6. Therefore, I'd better get going to bed!
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It'd be nice if my whole life were all sunshine and rainbows, but alas, not today. My finances are still in a sorry state, the housing co-op I've wanted to start with friends isn't materializing, and I still haven't gotten a response to last week's job application. But hey -- I have gotten my finances far more organized, so even if I can't get a second job this summer, I won't starve!
Spiritually speaking, I've been doing work that goes beyond what I can share in a few words in a blog entry. Basically though, I'm doing some deep healing work on that bit of nastiness that I thrust upon myself years ago -- namely, the moment when I consciously willed myself to stop having feelings. [Here's a free tip -- BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!!!] I'm also working on some of the same issues I was earlier -- fears of scarcity, fears of failure, fears of life in general not being safe or meaningful. The more grounded I become, the more I appreciate the fact that such healing takes time. I've got a lifetime though, so let's see how it goes.
On one final note, my whole Revolution of One project is going well. The book is nearing completion, and the Resource Packet for the workshops is complete. My professional life is on the verge of launching me headlong into a new life adventure that I hope will bring a great deal of hope and inspiration to as many people as possible. So even if the circumstances that surround you sometimes look grim, take heart. You, too, can become a Revolution of One!
I'm not quite ready to go to sleep yet, but I've got work in less than 8 hours, which means I need to wake up in 6. Therefore, I'd better get going to bed!
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Thursday, June 24, 2004
What is NATURE?
I just made another of my semi-regular visits to the Nature's First Law forum to receive my semi-regular dose of live and raw foods commentary. As usual, it was a mix of effulgent inspiration and ebullient wingnuttery. [Thank you, Spike, for teaching me the words ebullient and effulgent!] In response to both the good and the bad, I feel called to play the role of the philosopher again and ask one of my favorite Infrequently Asked Questions.
What is NATURE? By extension, what is natural?
Unlike many philosophers, I don't ask these questions simply to pass the time, or because I have some perverse desire for guests of this site to lose themselves in swirling circles of somnambulating sophistry. I ask these questions because I truly believe that the way in which we answer them -- both with our words and with our lives -- can mean the difference between happiness and suffering in our lives on this wonderful planet of ours.
So, what is NATURE?
Most people have very vague ideas of what this means. "Oh, trees, plants, I don't know. The way stuff is when people aren't doing anything to it." But aren't human beings a part of this NATURE thing too? If so, how does our own inner chunk of it relate to the rest?
The big debate among live/raw foodists that triggered today's philosophical musings on my part was a debate of what constitutes a "natural" and/or "healthy" diet. As for what NATURE is, I'll leave it up to you to finish pondering that one. On a more practical note, I have a few thoughts on "natural" living.
Most people tend to see me as an optimist. However, I see myself as one of the few realists I've ever come across. My downright PECULIAR psychological makeup [especially the Schizoid component] allows me to hold seemingly contradictory viewpoints in my mind simultaneously. This is why I'm a big fan of the true definition of the word "paradox" -- a SEEMING contradiction that reveals a higher truth when the conflict is resolved.
So, here's my two-part paradoxical view on "natural living":
(1) We are WAY beyond what I've termed the "poodle effect." Our species is so mutant and dysfunctional at this point that we're in the process of mutating the entire planet in our own ghoulish image. The best that we can do is make a conscious effort to spark ecological and social revolution in the hope that our children's children will figure out a way to empower their children's children to live "naturally."
(2) We are beautiful, creative, living beings who have an unlimited potential for deep greatness. Even in our moments of crisis, we are still "natural" beings, and always will be. All that we need to do is unleash our already-existing inner potential for harmony with each other and the rest of nature. If we make the right choices, we can heal ourselves and the rest of the planet, thus creating a new shared reality that will seem like a utopia in comparison to the current one.
Both views are based on lived realities I see "on the ground" on a daily basis. In any given moment, the way I lean between them just depends on what mood I'm in. But far more importantly:
Our choices are determining which of these two aspects of today's world flourishes!
So, to make a long story short, it's pointless to sit around debating just how mutated we are and whether or not our choices meet some vague definiton of "natural." Take it from me -- we're all hovering in the grey area between 1 and 2. That's about all that we CAN do given the current shared reality.
The more important question is this: how can I contribute to the success of World 2 rather World 1?
Once again, I leave that question for you to decide. [However, here's a hint about my views on the topic!]
0 comments
What is NATURE? By extension, what is natural?
Unlike many philosophers, I don't ask these questions simply to pass the time, or because I have some perverse desire for guests of this site to lose themselves in swirling circles of somnambulating sophistry. I ask these questions because I truly believe that the way in which we answer them -- both with our words and with our lives -- can mean the difference between happiness and suffering in our lives on this wonderful planet of ours.
So, what is NATURE?
Most people have very vague ideas of what this means. "Oh, trees, plants, I don't know. The way stuff is when people aren't doing anything to it." But aren't human beings a part of this NATURE thing too? If so, how does our own inner chunk of it relate to the rest?
The big debate among live/raw foodists that triggered today's philosophical musings on my part was a debate of what constitutes a "natural" and/or "healthy" diet. As for what NATURE is, I'll leave it up to you to finish pondering that one. On a more practical note, I have a few thoughts on "natural" living.
Most people tend to see me as an optimist. However, I see myself as one of the few realists I've ever come across. My downright PECULIAR psychological makeup [especially the Schizoid component] allows me to hold seemingly contradictory viewpoints in my mind simultaneously. This is why I'm a big fan of the true definition of the word "paradox" -- a SEEMING contradiction that reveals a higher truth when the conflict is resolved.
So, here's my two-part paradoxical view on "natural living":
(1) We are WAY beyond what I've termed the "poodle effect." Our species is so mutant and dysfunctional at this point that we're in the process of mutating the entire planet in our own ghoulish image. The best that we can do is make a conscious effort to spark ecological and social revolution in the hope that our children's children will figure out a way to empower their children's children to live "naturally."
(2) We are beautiful, creative, living beings who have an unlimited potential for deep greatness. Even in our moments of crisis, we are still "natural" beings, and always will be. All that we need to do is unleash our already-existing inner potential for harmony with each other and the rest of nature. If we make the right choices, we can heal ourselves and the rest of the planet, thus creating a new shared reality that will seem like a utopia in comparison to the current one.
Both views are based on lived realities I see "on the ground" on a daily basis. In any given moment, the way I lean between them just depends on what mood I'm in. But far more importantly:
Our choices are determining which of these two aspects of today's world flourishes!
So, to make a long story short, it's pointless to sit around debating just how mutated we are and whether or not our choices meet some vague definiton of "natural." Take it from me -- we're all hovering in the grey area between 1 and 2. That's about all that we CAN do given the current shared reality.
The more important question is this: how can I contribute to the success of World 2 rather World 1?
Once again, I leave that question for you to decide. [However, here's a hint about my views on the topic!]
0 comments
Thursday, June 10, 2004
I'm on fire, baby!
The coming days and weeks are going to be hot, hot, HOT! The fires of inspiration and transformation are flaring up in my life as we speak. I've got so much going on right now that I hardly know where to begin!
First, there's my upcoming workshop: Revolution of One. Then, there's the book by the same name due to be released sometime this summer. There's also a major update to my website on the horizon. AND, most of all, I myself am immersed in the flames! I'm burning away some of the clutter in my life, both internally and externally. Some of the long-standing blocks in my energy-consciousness are disappating, and my heart is ablaze with hope, vision, and creativity. Of course, all of that activity is stirring up some unpleasantries too. But now, as all of my fears and inhibitions are brought to the light of day, I can consign them to the flames and bask in the glow of their burning transformation.
This recent outburst of fiery inspiration is lighting the way to a new life. No more lingering in limbo for me -- with the vibrant energy of summer all around me, it's time for me to leap into action! It's finally time to take what I've learned and move forward with my career as an author, public speaker, and community organizer. It's going to be a challenge, but it's one that's been long in coming. Let the adventure begin!
Am I on fire, or am I on fire? Surely, I have Brighid to thank for some of the fire in my life. In any case, I'll be back again soon with the latest news. Until then, enjoy the warm weather!
0 comments
First, there's my upcoming workshop: Revolution of One. Then, there's the book by the same name due to be released sometime this summer. There's also a major update to my website on the horizon. AND, most of all, I myself am immersed in the flames! I'm burning away some of the clutter in my life, both internally and externally. Some of the long-standing blocks in my energy-consciousness are disappating, and my heart is ablaze with hope, vision, and creativity. Of course, all of that activity is stirring up some unpleasantries too. But now, as all of my fears and inhibitions are brought to the light of day, I can consign them to the flames and bask in the glow of their burning transformation.
This recent outburst of fiery inspiration is lighting the way to a new life. No more lingering in limbo for me -- with the vibrant energy of summer all around me, it's time for me to leap into action! It's finally time to take what I've learned and move forward with my career as an author, public speaker, and community organizer. It's going to be a challenge, but it's one that's been long in coming. Let the adventure begin!
Am I on fire, or am I on fire? Surely, I have Brighid to thank for some of the fire in my life. In any case, I'll be back again soon with the latest news. Until then, enjoy the warm weather!
0 comments
