Gaia Community: C.G.'s Blog

Serialization of Sacred Vow—Searching

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:16:14 -0000

The most significant event of your life calls to you, from barely beyond your perception...both imminent and impossible... a call of the heart, of the spirit, and of yourself to which you have not yet been introduced.

Sacred Vow is visionary fiction of a journey toward our one true love...in its infinite expressions...bringing together two individuals from disparate realities-but one spirit-to heal the rift in the Collective Consciousness...a breach that threatens us all.

Installment 2 of 22 Sacred Vow (Dragon's Beard Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-9774271-4-7, paperback, Fiction: Visionary/Metaphysical).

Searching

No longer confined to material experience, Katerina crossed into the dimly lit room, invisible to its inhabitants. She had never visited this world before, never laid eyes on this person, yet Katerina's bond to the lean, gray-haired man seated at the wooden table was so intense and immediate that she barely managed to suppress the impulse to reach out and embrace him.

He rested a forearm on either side of the tattered book at which he stared, completely absorbed. In a few moments, he began to read aloud to himself, in a gentle voice.

"So long have we been sharing our experience, our becoming, that it no longer makes sense to imagine such a thing as either of us wholly divisible from the other . . . if it ever did make sense."

Slowly he sat upright, eyes staring in Katerina's direction, though completely unaware of her, staring through her formless presence and beyond her. A smile spread over his weathered face. Mesmerized, Katerina watched the man's bright eyes as he began to move his head to the left. The moment his attention came to rest, an undeniable serenity radiated from his face, drawing Katerina to turn and seek out its inspiration.

He was looking into the face of a woman sitting in a large, upholstered chair, motionless, silent, and eyes closed. Upon first recognition of that face, Katerina's intimacy with it involuntarily pulled her nearer. It was her own face on which Katerina was gazing, many years older, but indisputably her face. Katerina wanted to linger and rest her spirit, weary from all the traveling today, to just take in the simplicity of their life together in this place. But she knew that would be unwise.

Though only an observer, Katerina felt herself beginning to fuse into this life, making it her own. And this reality was progressively laying claim to her. Synthesis into the visited environment was a known problem with this manner of searching. She had been cautioned against becoming too tired and being seduced into idling.

She took one last look at her partner in this alternate life-at the partner of this parallel self. Katerina forced herself to continue the search elsewhere. This man was surely a manifestation of the one she sought, but this was not "him."

Then she released her hold on this life. The tangibility of another facet of reality dissolved around her, as it had so many times before that day.

When letting go of a visited life, Katerina often had a sense of rapid movement-somewhat unnerving. It was similar to the dream sensation of falling when on the brink of sleep. Except this movement went in all directions simultaneously, including inward.

As Katerina removed herself from this life of hers, she retained traces of it. Though she had visited the place for only moments, that reality had been thoroughly integrated into Katerina's definition of self, her emotions, and her mind. The same thing had happened with each parallel life that she had visited today. The resulting assimilation of parallel self-definitions was proving to be the hardest part of this task. Katerina could feel something similar to layers of simultaneous lifetime awarenesses building within her consciousness. With each new layer, Katerina's definition-of-self expanded, but the primary identity receded a little. The more the tether to her prime personality weakened, the more dangerous the next visit became.

These dangers to the visitant were why this ritual was so rarely performed. Only by forcing acknowledgment of her exceptional skills had Katerina been able to persuade The Nine to consent to, and assist in, her searches. With each passing in and out of these parallel lives, Katerina became progressively more understanding of the Crones' concerns.

Good fortune and bad awaited Katerina at the next location she tried to visit. For whatever reason, she was blocked from entering the environment. This meant the spirit of the very person she had come to visit denied her access-so she had been taught. The barrier was good because of the respite it afforded her, even momentarily. It was bad because this failed attempt was an opportunity lost and she had no time to waste. Katerina could feel her subconscious becoming overwhelmed. She would have to abandon the search very soon.

As though she had been slammed into a wall, Katerina rebounded. With no time to prepare, she entered into another parallel life. The quickness of the transfer had a severe impact on her already depleted energies.

Hazy images began to take form before her eyes. As in every other visit today, what Katerina saw and felt was as real to her as the life in the world of her physical form. These people, her lives in parallel realities, always existed right before her eyes. They were as real as any member of her order that she interacted with day in and day out. In this process, Katerina merely opened her awareness to the otherwise unacknowledged doorway between the infinite realities.

Memories that were hidden from her a moment before-memories belonging exclusively to this parallel life-began to introduce themselves into her consciousness. A flood of previously inaccessible senses, personal to this life, began to send their messages to her brain. Emotions without history for the traveling Katerina of a moment before began to structure in her mind the network of associations that gave them consequence. It was becoming almost impossible to fully open herself to yet another mind, another life, and still retain her distinction from them.

"Maintain the focus," she reminded herself. "Where is the Union?"

Psychically, she searched the structure in which she stood for evidence of his presence. She knew he had been in this room only a moment before. Scanning one room after another with her mind, her senses met him returning up the stairs from a lower floor.

Perceptive of subtle energies, he stopped, and turned his head as if trying to catch the sound or sight that had fleetingly stirred his attention. Though her presence was centered in another room, Katerina held her mental focus on him, just outside of his range of perception. There was something very special about this one, and she took time to enjoy that uniqueness.

But he is not the Union, her mind cried out.

"Suen?" he called.

"What is it, Yeetar?" his partner replied from a room at the back of the top floor.

Yeetar looked around, curious. It was obvious that he had perceived an unfamiliar intrusion into his world. He seemed to be reaching out with something more than his five senses, trying to locate her. So Katerina cautiously began to withdraw her presence.

Significant, she thought. But, still not the Union.

Katerina heard Yeetar reply, uncertainly, "Nothing, Suen," as the last of Katerina's foreign essence departed from his world.

Katerina knew she could not attempt another visit. Her need to return to the Motherworld was too great. As soon as she pulled herself back into the mortal form that was her own, every member of The Nine instantaneously received her request for termination of the rite. The gurgling song of streams that surrounded the circle of Crones aided her return. Though Katerina felt her spirit fully identify with the body of her home reality, her mind was overwhelmed with the competing identities she had integrated into her awareness during the searches. Still in the seated meditation posture, Katerina slumped forward, reaching her hands to the ground for reconnection, pressing her palms to the soft, living moss that covered the ground below her. Her breathing was deep and slow. With each inhalation, the scent of the evergreen forest strengthened her connection to this place, her primary home.

Surges of energy began to run through her muscles, making them twitch. Katerina strove to suppress these involuntary movements. Undoubtedly, out of need for its own survival, Katerina's conscious mind was feverishly sweeping through the queue of her recent experiences and vanquishing all contending identities to the subdued recesses of her subconscious.

Katerina had no way of telling how long the hand had been on her shoulder. Still unable to withdraw her concentration from the processes of recovery, she wasn't yet able to perceive whose hand it was. A minute later, unaware of who stood above her, Katerina began to realize that sympathetic energy flowed into her through the supportive hand, assisting Katerina in her efforts to integrate.

She had not wanted anyone to know how much impact the ceremony had had on her. She had been bold in her claims of being able to handle the process.

"You have done well, dear heart, and we are glad you are back with us."

Katerina knew the voice. Head hanging down, eyes still closed, her sensory perception becoming exclusive to the world of her body, she replied, "I could not find him, Holiness. So many manifestations of him, but none of them were the Union."

"That is both auspicious and unfortunate. With so many connections, the bond between you and him is exceptionally strong. It does, however, complicate finding the appropriate manifestation when seeking him without some assistance on his part.

"You have been remarkable in your effort, Katerina. No one would have asked so much of you. Care for yourself now, my child. This is a demanding task that you have undertaken."

"I am certain something is not as we expect this time," Katerina said.

"We may not understand why things are proceeding as they are, Katerina, but the Collective Consciousness cannot be wrong. We must carry out our practice as it has been handed down to us. The method has always served the need, and will again . . . in its own time."

"Yes, Mother. But when I received the visions, it seemed he was not within an order. Is it possible?"

"The images you saw must be coincidental, not indicative of his full person, Katerina."

"How can he refrain from replying?" Katerina asked, finally regaining enough strength to rise to her feet, though slowly. "Perhaps he cannot, or does not understand the Call."

The old Matriarch wrapped an arm around Katerina's back and helped the younger woman to steady her wobbly legs. Katerina looked into the concerned, almost teary eyes of her superior and said, "I truly feel that something is unique to this occurrence of the rift."

"I know you do, and I respect that belief. But you must accept that no matter the situation, it is perfection, as it has always been."

A tear rolled down the wrinkled cheek before the elder continued.

"I would not have had you suffer this burden, Katerina, if I had such power to decide. And I must accept that this charge is yours to bear, in your own way."

Despite the Matriarch's compassionate tone, Katerina took her words as a reprimand.

"I will not fail my duties. Until I find the Union, I will search without cease."

Rubbing Katerina's back, the old woman said, "You have always surpassed your duties, dear girl, and are doing so now. You will not fail, cannot fail. It is we who must not fail you."

Continued next week, Tea Ceremony

C.G. Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives.

In celebration of CG's upcoming non-fiction book, Strike a Chord of Silence, for a limited time autographed/signed copies of Sacred Vow are available for $4.00US plus shipping!- or purchase as ebook or the Amazon Kindle version

This copyrighted article may be freely reprinted as long as the entire article and complete by line is included, without additions.

Whose life would you like to be living?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:03:06 -0000

I would choose no one else's life over mine.
Better a known devil.....

Sure, I-like most people, I suppose-have things about my life that I would like to change. I cannot say that all my grandest dreams have come to pass just yet, however, when we are envious of other's lives or achievements/possessions, we often are only wishing that we could have "a portion" of their lives--what we may see as outer successes or glory. We are never aware of any suffering it took to get to that point, the inner fears that they might have, or the "current cost" of those successes.

Take on the garment of another and you cannot go unaffected by their ways.**

I heard a story some time ago about a spiritual leader that got so tired of her flock arguing about whose sufferings was worst. Week after week, not only did they proclaim the supremacy of their own suffering, but they demeaned their neighbors as not being justified in their personal suffering. "If my pain was as little as theirs, I could laugh and be joyous, rather than be forced to go about with this pained look in my eye.

The leader called her flow together around a gnarly little tree one winter day and handed each person a pencil and an envelope with a string through a hole in the corner, and a blank piece of paper inside.

"I have been very troubled that many of you feel that Spirit has given a more severe burden to carry than your neighbors. I took this heartfelt concern to prayer with me, and Spirit has offered a solution.

"We will each take the blank paper down from the envelop, write down our personal suffering, and put the paper back in the envelop. Write your name on the front of the envelope and find a limb to tie your envelop on.

"This is our suffering tree. When you tie your envelope, your suffering onto the tree, Spirit has promised that you will be free of it. However, as you have left a suffering on the tree, you must take one from the tree. Every person will be allowed to exchange their suffering for any other that they pick off this tree as we walk around it. Once all the sufferings have been taken back from this tree, we will be done-and Spirit promises that each of us will then be more content with the suffering we bear."

It took quite a long time of walking around the tree before anyone took any suffering to be their own. But eventually, the first envelop was claimed. Little by little, every envelop came off the tree, each person claiming the suffering of their choice.

And each person claimed the very same suffering they had hung on their tree...but Spirit was correct. Each one was more content with what was theirs to bear.

When were you last suprised by joy?

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:49:35 -0000

Aaah, but that is the ticket, isn't it? In order to truly experience joy-a spontaneous emotion-we must allow ourselves to be in a position to be surprised. If we do not define or expect/anticipate them, joy and happiness come to grace us so much more often.

I like to keep close at hand sayings to remind me about the nature of things.

Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. -Nathaniel Hawthorne

Happiness does not depend on outward things, but on the way we see them. -Tolstoy

The very action of wishing for, anticipating, looking for certain things make immediately impossible their attainment.

By the nature of the action, to seek a thing is to put that object beyond your grasp. -Strike a Chord of Silence, CG Walters

When we are perpetually focused on the moment, not looking too far from the moment, one is more in a position for surprises. I am always laughing at myself (when I stumble onto this condition), and telling Kathy, "I am a simple man; it does not take much to make me happy."

Joy is not in things, it is in us.-Richard Wagner

As far as a personal experience of happiness rising unexpectedly and making me giddy with joy-I work outside and am a person who becomes depressed by too much sun (am still working on letting that illusion go). One week recently, I awoke to a 48 degree Fahrenheit morning. The entire summer day was crisp and dry. The temp never made 70 degrees Fahrenheit. There were beautiful clouds moving across the sky all day. I was in a state of delight all day long. I so enjoyed the experience that the impact stayed with me for days after the temps moved upward again.

What have you learned from other animals?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:42:42 -0000

Not only learned, but am learning. Little Carolina Wrens seem to stay close by me, supporting me, reminding me (as Ted Andrews’ Animal Speaks book says) to believe in myself and “to be bold.”

Wrens are a small bird with a big voice, and a daring spirit. It’s hard to believe that such a loud song can come from such a small body. And, they dance while they sing, swinging side to side, throwing that voice the widest arc possible. Carolina Wrens are rust brown, and they can be seen hopping all over anything where they might find bugs and spiders. I used to have a tractor, and every time I stopped that tractor in front of the house after mowing the property a pair of little wrens would cover that thing—underside, topside, tires, seat—picking up all the bugs that had hitched a ride.

Carolina wrens will build a nest of moss and fibrous strings that look like what could be imagined as a fairy bed. Perhaps this is why some pagan traditions consider the wren sacred to the earth gods and goddesses. If you are lucky, a little wren will grace you with its nest in a mailbox, a bucket, or even an unmoving vehicle.

The Animal Speaks book says of Wren, “The wren is a bold and resourceful bird. One Native American tale speaks of a time when the wren tricked the boasting eagle into carrying it far into the heavens, until the eagle could go no higher. At that point the wren hopped off eagle’s back and flew beyond the clouds, laughing at how much higher it was flying than the eagle ever would.”

For some particular blessings, wrens have always been very tolerant of my presence. They will come very close and sing, and watch me, turning their head and listening to me speak in response to their song. There was even a particularly trying time when an almost all white (very rare) male wren showed up around my bird feeders. The first couple of times I saw it, I thought it was a trick of light. However, in time, this white wren came close to sing to me and let me be certain that I was seeing accurately.

Though wrens have a special significance to me, I believe watching any animal (or any thing) in nature can teach us, remind us. We align ourselves to what we give our attention, so watching something that is in accordance to the rhythm of nature starts to bring that remembrance back from the depth of our subconscious.

Serialization of Sacred Vow—Prologue

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:14:56 -0000

This excerpted article is from the novel, Sacred Vow (Dragon's Beard Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-9774271-4-7, paperback, Fiction: Visionary/Metaphysical).

Over the next 22 weeks, as one of my weekly posts, I intend to serialize the first 15 chapters of Sacred Vow. For those of you who have already read Sacred Vow, I beg your patience, and welcome any comments that you remember from when you read the chapter.

For those of you who have not read Sacred Vow, may it bring you many blessings. And, please comment if you are so moved.

Intro
There is a rift in the Collective Consciousness of the Universe because people are not bonding one to another. The primary female character, Katerina, lives in another dimension, in a culture structured around the Sisterhood of Crones (a description of the order, not their name-as their name is without word). The Sisterhood are about to perform a ritual to allow Katerina to rapidly visit a multitude of worlds and dimensions, searching for her spirit mate (soulmate or twin flame). The Sisterhood has become aware that the connection between Katerina and her spirit mate is vital to heal the rift in the Collective Consciousness.

Prologue

Choice of the ritual location was dictated by nature just days before. Hundreds of people had roamed hill and field, dowsing for the place possessing the energy necessary for their purpose. The intended process could not take place on one of their customary ceremonial sites, but only the spot identified as radiating the strongest flow of earth energy at the anticipated time of the rite.

Three ley lines, channels of the land's energy, crossed a wooded hillside in a small patch of flat ground. Two ancient hardwood trees, one standing on either side of the rear of the opening, leaned forward before the rocky slope that bordered the backside of the level area. Their leaves filtered what little light could make its way from above.

Between the trees, at the base of the slope, there was a large greenish-gray stone. Its jagged face rose some twenty feet in the air. Three small streams, swollen with recent rains, flowed down the slope, marking the perimeter of the flat plot of land in front of the stone, before converging and flowing downward over a small waterfall. The stream-encircled ground was carpeted with a thick, soft moss.

Once the location had been identified and verified, the holy women who would use that place and its energy consecrated it. On the appointed evening, shortly after midnight, a ceremonial procession of The Nine-which consisted of the Crone Mother, leader of their mystic order, and eight more of the wisest women of their society-Katerina, understudy to the Crone Mother, and their considerable entourage made their way to the location. For several hours, from their village to the south, those who remained behind could see the winding line of torches, and hear the repetitive chants as the group made their way to the anointed site.

Once the group arrived, still in the dark of the night, attendants placed torches around the perimeter of the chosen site. Then they spread seating mats in a large circle on the ground for those who would perform the ritual, with the Crone Mother's back to the large boulder at the head of the flat ground. Katerina took her position, in the center of the circle, facing the Crone Mother. Once the members of the ceremony were seated, their retinue withdrew some distance from the site, in order not to disrupt the proceedings.

A time of silence then passed among those women remaining on the holy site, Katerina and The Nine. When no more sound of those traveling back down the hill could be heard, The Nine began a unified chant. Katerina remained silent, yielding to the trance induced by their voices. As planned, the light of dawn had just begun to make its way through the canopy of leaves.

Within a very short time, the chanting ended, but Katerina was not aware of the change. Where she had gone, The Nine could not follow, could not see what Katerina saw. Their task was now to assist Katerina in a search through her parallel lives, and to wait until she chose to return.

Hours passed as Katerina moved through the many complementary realities surrounding her-now made apparent to her by this expanded awareness-searching more than any of The Nine had anticipated as possible. The light of dawn, noon, and now late evening had filtered through the tree cover above the seated women.

Despite her travels, Katerina remained attuned to every mind and spirit involved in the ritual. She was well aware that several of the wise ones had long been wishing for her to conclude her efforts, worried not for themselves but for Katerina and the conceivable limits of her stamina. Katerina knew they would stay with her as long as she could convey assurance that she was not in any danger.

Being surrounded by the Council of Nine evoked such power and information that it was almost too much for her mortal body to endure. Each of The Nine was unequaled in her individual expertise. And all that power was being focused into a narrow beam, directly at Katerina. Fortunately, the most illuminated teachers in their culture had trained Katerina all her life for such a passage.

The collective life force of The Nine permeated every cell of Katerina's body, which resonated with an enhanced energy, supporting and shielding her from much of the impact of her transitions. Alone, she would not have been able to investigate so much, so quickly. Conversely, being assailed by their concentrated radiance was having a brutal impact on her physical form.

Katerina was always able to enter her parallel lives without the help of The Nine. In fact, she had entered into many parallel lives since being made aware of "him" a few months ago. In those unassisted visits, she could visit only one location per session, and then had to return home, resting for some extended period before traveling again. That process had proven to take far too long. It did, however, have its benefits.

Returning home between visits was necessary for Katerina's mind and spirit to filter the visited life back into the generally unperceivable background of her unconscious mind. Interim filtering wasn't happening today. This ritual was allowing Katerina to open up to alternate lives, giving each life predominance in her consciousness, just long enough to allow her to seek out what she needed to know, and then pull away from that place. Full disconnection from these lives would have to take place when she finally returned home at the end of the ritual. Today she pushed herself forward as she never had before. More than just her life and her world depended on the outcome.

Continued next week, Searching

copyright 2006 CG Walters

C.G. Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives.

In celebration of CG's upcoming non-fiction book, Strike a Chord of Silence, for a limited time autographed/signed copies of Sacred Vow are available for $4.00US plus shipping!- or purchase as ebook or the Amazon Kindle version

This copyrighted article may be freely reprinted as long as the entire article and complete by line is included, without additions.

Search for Meaning

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:06:28 -0000

People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life... I think that what we're really seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonance within our innermost being and reality, so that we can actually feel the rapture of being alive. -Joseph Campbell

I recently saw a review of a beautifully presented metaphysical movie. The essence of the review was "the movie was not good because I don't know what it is supposed to mean." After watching the film myself, I also came away without being able to say what it "meant," but did not find that to diminish the value of the movie at all. My spirit was very moved by the experience.

After all, what is the meaning of ecstasy? Of a sunrise? Do we really want to belittle anything that exceeds the scope of understanding of the conscious mind?

You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life-Albert Camus

The attempt to codify the spiritual experience into a method or attribute meaning to it escapes me, especially if that attempt is with any idea of then reproducing that experience within ourselves or another-worse yet, to validate the experience. Whether in New Age or traditional beliefs, systematizing the Ineffable is the core of depersonalizing and therefore devitalizing your connection.

Religion is the best way to avoid a religious experience. -Joseph Campbell

Meaning seems often to be defined as that which the conscious mind/ego-mind can analyze/qualify and re-express into words that can be understood by self and another. In our scramble for meaning and/or understanding, we should be certain not to underestimate the importance or the value of pure experience-that which sometimes cannot be captured in "meaning" and defies conscious understanding.

The heart has no need of meaning. It feels; it experiences. The spirit has no interest in meaning-it simply IS experience. These two vital aspects of our existence cannot be appropriately explained/analyzed/qualified by conscious mind.. The Ineffable can be alluded to by words. But the true essence of the reference cannot be conveyed, only lived and incorporated into our being. We then become the only true expression to that which we are attempting to represent in words. The mystics of every conviction have always known this. The words/doctrine of their belief system were the launching platform of their experience, but was not allowed to confine their personal experience or connection with the Source.

Verse 1 -Tao Te Ching

The way of the word is not the Way

Words are simply too inefficient to precisely convey the actual experience of something like bliss. Any semblance of conveyance is merely the listener/reader revisiting their personal experience of bliss-or their preconceived idea of bliss-and assuming that is what was intended/expressed by the words. Meaning and method are crafty contrivances of the conscious/ego mind. It is a manner of naming/categorizing. Not always, but quite often "meaning" can be a distraction from or method of avoiding the experience itself.

Words used with the intention or accepted as an explicit conveyance of the spiritual provide a situation of mistaking the map/representation of the landscape for the landscape itself. Explicit conveyances (i.e. "this is THE truth") seem often to have been inspired by a true connection with the Absolute, but became bound by the attempt to define that connection with words/meaning, and what we have been left with is often little more than the sarcophagus of the original spirit. However, I would not say that any use of words to represent the spiritual is an inherent problem. I am inclined to believe that the symbolic use of poetry or fiction can be the catalyst to a shared connection. This is the same nature of a Zen koan, something unintended to contain truth, but rather to shake the mind free from any attempt to seize the "map" as reality in order to awaken an awareness of the true landscape.

...those profound truths of life...can't be transferred from one person to another with words but can only be genuinely known through one's connection to the collective unconscious. In this sense, we can only learn what we already know at the unconscious level.-Robert A. Johnson, Inner Work

As for the meaning of communion with the spiritual, meaning is the domain of understanding, and spirit surpasses all understanding.

Do you believe in the evolution of human consciousness?

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:41:34 -0000

I believe it was Alan Watts that that suggested the reason behind the expanding universe was (paraphrased) that science (our tool of perception) was developing ever more powerful tools for peering into the farthest reaches, which forced the universe to expand to keep certain parts "beyond perception."

Consciousness: commonly defined as the state of being conscious; awareness of one's own existence, sensations, thoughts, surroundings, etc.

I suggest that our inner universe is the same. It is an ever-progressing horizon, like chasing one's shadow, we take a step and the horizon moves forward one step. What is our universe/Universe trying to hide? Nothing except maybe the conclusion of our curiosity. The expanding borders are the siren's call to come further out...further yet....a little more.

-Then again, maybe looking for something manifests something to be seen, that would not otherwise exist.

So now, to determine if we are "progressing," I guess we must determine what we would consider progression/an "improvement." Quantitatively, we might be making progress-are we able to shine a light on more area than remains in the dark? Note that since our universe/Universe seems to be able to expand infinitely, this increasing percentage of lighted area may be an illusion to keep us moving ‘forward.'

I think there is a distinction to be made between the personal consciousness and the Collective Consciousness. Since I define the Collective Consciousness as all intelligence, eternal and infinite, I am not sure that I believe in the possible expansion of the Collective. More practically, it is a matter of how our personal consciousness aligns with the Collective-how "aware" we are of the collective mind, need, spirit-which often comes with less focus/awareness on/of the personal.

Then there is the qualitative judgment of our "progression." If someone with an objective point of view showed up on Earth and had a look around at how we react to each other and our Mother, do you think they would consider us to be progressing beyond our "unconscious" animal/plant neighbors?

Now, as with all expansion, it seems one must ask of "is there any value"-Occam's razor-beyond satisfying the mechanism of expansion itself? Sure, pursue for entertainment and gratification (I do, as long as it appears to do no harm), but one cannot immediately jump to believing that it must be for the "greater good."

Great knowledge often progresses until it is unable to support its own weight and collapses onto itself, bringing its proponent to back to the basics (or to a new ‘paradigm'). So it may be on the "great progression" of "personal consciousness." I do not believe this is a flaw, but a design element that brings us to a Collective awareness/consciousness. As "the way of the word is not the Way," so it may be that the way of expanding consciousness is not Consciousness.

If I had only known, I would have been a locksmith.-Albert Einstein

What would engage more people in creating a positive future?

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:45:05 -0000

The Wu Wei way...by the action of non-action...or "show me, don't tell me" (if I like what I see, I just may come along for the company-a little way or longer).

I see three potential problems with this proposition:

1) The definition of "positive"

Being a subjective term, there can never be a guarantee that any particular example of "positive" is indeed the most desirable thing for all-at even the conscious level, much less the supraconscious level. In our dualistic world, what I perceive as positive will most certainly be considered negative by another. This diametric perspective is not always that one (or both) positions are motivated by self-interest-though in fact all positions are motivated by self interest (even the self interest of desiring to further ‘the positive').

Also, our views are almost always limited by our scope of perception. For example, though I am very vested in a turnaround on the ‘negative' human impact of the Earth (for my and our survival), I have heard native elders say that the Earth will survive and prosper even if we do not. So then, if we are able to avert the cataclysmic termination of the human species, are we for our own sake holding the Earth in a less healthy state than it would achieve with the rest-bit without human civilization? If so, since we are the fruit of the Earth (as apples on an apple tree), are we in our positive efforts going to result in less healthy fruit over the long scope?

-by the way, I am still for human survival. I just know it is for our sake and not because it ‘positive' thing to do.

2) "Engaging people"-proselytizing

I always have a problem with proselytizing. The action first shows an assumption that we image our way is the right way. Sure, we can share our opinion, but I am inclined to walk the fine line that divides opinion and selling a path. It always seems that once we start to recruit people to our perspective we run the risk of the idea becoming secondary to the action of recruitment.

Why should we care if others follow our path? If we are content with our path, then do we need others to be on it? And if we are truly content and fulfilled, wouldn't others see that? If people see our contentment and believe that our path would be of a benefit to them, they may choose to walk along with us (or on a similar path). Besides, I would not desire them to be on my path unless they find it beneficial.

3) Never even mind the "future" part. Be here now.

What are your ideas on engaging more people in creating a positive future?

What would be the best way to inspire and invite others to join in the vision for a better world?

****
In celebration of CG's upcoming non-fiction book, **Strike a Chord of Silence, for a limited time autographed/signed copies of Sacred Vow are available for $4.00US plus shipping!

Purchase a signed paperback copy from http://sacredvow.dragonsbeard.com/ - or buy from your favorite brick and mortar, or online store (Amazon.com ). Purchase Sacred Vow as ebook http://www.mobipocket.com/en/eBooks/eBookDetails.asp?BookID=79405&Origine=3971 or the Amazon Kindle version

What is the most important story in your life right now?

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:19:21 -0000

My muses know me well. The story that is sustaining me now is-as always-the story that is unfolding before my eyes, leading me on, keeping my interest and my enthusiasm, making the heart radiate-for I only follow positive stories; don't want that other kind getting lodged in my DNA!

I have been blessed with many inspiring stories, presented in many formats. They have come in life, in fantasy and dream, have fallen out onto page and onto the screen. They have been my own, and those shared with me by others. They have been collective stories and personal ones. They replay in my mind, my dreams, and my heart to keep me through those moments when the vision of my own stories dim.

Yes, my muses know how to work me. Just as my mother found when I was a child, given a good story, I will sit, unmoving, for hours-otherwise, I am probably into some mischief that never seemed to benefit any of us. Something about a story unfurling, magic arising as mist from nothing into majesty...be it the story contained in a book, a movie, or my everyday life.

I am being drawn forward by the unfolding story in the 21^st year of my marriage with my dear wife; the manifestation of who we are becoming together and alone. The muses dangle my next novel before my eyes-trying to lure me into finishing some non-fiction work first. I eagerly watch the story of summer moving into fall in the mountains. I watch the ever-progressing horizon rise before me, finding new realities in my mind that surely were not there the moment before!

I am still the child, sitting in the lap of my Mother Muse, listening, seeing the story, feeling the story-feeling it give me life and enthusiasm to follow. I hear the story teller say, "Come along, little one. Have I got a story for you!"

There is one formal story that I think is very significant to me, you, and all of us these days. I quoted it recently, but think it bears repeating, along with "just what item of critical mass are we holding our attention to?"

The 100th Monkey

A story about social change.

by Ken Keyes, Jr.

The Japanese monkey, Macaca fuscata, had been observed in the wild for a period of over 30years. In 1952, on the island of Koshima, scientists were providing monkeys with sweet potatoes dropped in the sand. The monkey liked the taste of the raw sweet potatoes, but they found the dirt unpleasant. An 18-month-old female named Imo found she could solve the problem by washing the potatoes in a nearby stream. She taught this trick to her mother. Her playmates also learned this new way and they taught their mothers too.

This cultural innovation was gradually picked up by various monkeys before the eyes of the scientists. Between 1952 and 1958 all the young monkeys learned to wash the sandy sweet potatoes to make them more palatable. Only the adults who imitated their children learned this social improvement. Other adults kept eating the dirty sweet potatoes.

Then something startling took place. In the autumn of 1958, a certain number of Koshima monkeys were washing sweet potatoes -- the exact number is not known. Let us suppose that when the sun rose one morning there were 99 monkeys on Koshima Island who had learned to wash their sweet potatoes. Let's further suppose that later that morning, the hundredth monkey learned to wash potatoes.

THEN IT HAPPENED! By that evening almost everyone in the tribe was washing sweet potatoes before eating them. The added energy of this hundredth monkey somehow created an ideological breakthrough!

But notice: A most surprising thing observed by these scientists was that the habit of washing sweet potatoes then jumped over the sea...Colonies of monkeys on other islands and the mainland troop of monkeys at Takasakiyama began washing their sweet potatoes. Thus, when a certain critical number achieves an awareness, this new awareness may be communicated from mind to mind.

Although the exact number may vary, this Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon means that when only a limited number of people know of a new way-a new horizon,-it may remain the conscious property of these people.

But there is a point at which if only one more person tunes-in to a new awareness, a field is strengthened so that this awareness is picked up by almost everyone!

What would have to change for there to be no war?

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:02:36 -0000

You project to the world around you what you hold within.

Peace within you is the cornerstone of peace in the world.**

Truly no adjustment of the environment around us can take place without an adjustment to the environment within us. Equally, action on the outside can be symbolic for the action we are initiating within us. Some can connect psychically enough to instigate their change primarily from within. Others require a simultaneous exercise working from both environments. For some, the change within seems to be strictly a result of the change that they instigate on the outside.

Change will lead to insight far more often than insight will lead to change.-Milton Erickson

In the US (but not, only in the US) we must cease to believe in the rhetoric of either/or, designed to sell us the disease of fear so that we will believe we have no option but to accept their designed path of a fix.

"Bush's language structure is similar to the communication structure of an abusive personality. The goal of any abusive personality is domination, to make their targets do things that they otherwise would not do." -Dr. Renana Brooks

(for more on this see and the link to Dr. Brook's article, see http://kathmandau.blogspot.com/2008/07/words-we-use-maintain-our-confinement.html )

I see this kind of exercise of motivating people through apocalyptic vision not only in our politics. It's there even in our endeavors of spirit. Why is it that we respond so much better to threat than to positive vision?

We imagine that which see before us because it is within.

As within, so without.**

Why aren't we equally driven to achieve the glorious possibilities as we are to avoid the catastrophes? Any action driven by fear uses up quite a bit energy just feeding the fear-not to mention the unstable thinking patterns that arise from such a state. Sure, it has historically (personally and collectively) brought about some positive goals, but at what cost?!

I am definitely not saying that the work of correcting this environment is strictly on the inside-we as a collective do not seem sufficiently connected inwardly to execute the process exclusively from the interior. However, while doing the symbolic work on the outside, we need also to heal that thing within us that gives us such a predilection to believe in the negative rather than the positive. Bush was not the first time (or last) this technique has been employed and successful on us.

The Words We Use Maintain Our Confinement

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:10:46 -0000

Words are symbolic carriers of our intention or our nature. They are tools to share ourselves with others, personally, culturally, and spiritually. Quite often they communicate other or more than we than we specifically intend.

A person might fully understand the dictionary's (explicit) definition of a word, but most often our use of a word is conveying personal (implicit) connotations, that the listener/reader (and even the speaker/writer) might not be aware of. For example, when I speak of a "truth", contrary to many people that I speak to, I associate no more permanence to that "verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like" than I would to a "favorite song." That "truth" is irrefutable (for me) for this moment (therefore contextual)-and might be so for a very long time. But I would not begin to claim that it was always my "favorite song," or will always be!

History shows that even truths of science pass in due time. Imagining that "truth" is a constant instead of a "contextual" restricts the pace of our growth.

Truth is but a resting place until the next revelation.**

A paradigm or environment creates or appropriates words and associates collectively implicit (therefore redefining the explicit) meaning to words to explain and maintain itself. In doing so, the language that we have perpetuates the dominant paradigm--thereby restricting their use for sharing something outside of or beyond itself. If the method of mapping only provides a means to represent flatlands, the majority of the travelers will be safe from discovering mountains.

Easy examples of this are found in the language in our patriarchal society. Such would be the natural arising of male-biased pronouns/nouns for terms that might refer to either gender (i.e. manslaughter, human, mankind). In addition to maintaining the patriarchal supremacy, our language also enforces gender (i.e. marriage: "the social institution under which a man and woman...."). Language is an identifier/unifier/perpetuator of a culture/group as well as a divider-enforced for that purpose from within and/or without.

In the same sense as a culture explains and maintains itself through the use of specific words and associating implicit meanings, we as individuals also reflect the predilection and limitations that we hold within-evidence of how define as ourselves. As with our other habitual behaviors, sometimes we consciously intend to move beyond a previous self-definition, but may not realize that our language (as well as our behavior) is working to maintain the status quo.

Words do not contain truth, but may reflect the truth [or deceit] that you hold within.**

An excellent example of the impact in creating reality of the choice of specific words-and their collective application-is the current administration in the US. Their manipulation of words to create the ailment for the "cure" they wished to sell has to be the best implementation of the intentional restructuring of language since the Third Reich.

"Bush uses language to create a black and white, good versus evil, world-view that has strong appeal because it meets people's emotional needs created by the President's language itself. Bush's language structure is similar to the communication structure of an abusive personality.

The goal of any abusive personality is domination, to make their targets do things that they otherwise would not do. Abusers typically use language to create a black and white world where catastrophe is the only perceived alternative to following their demands."

From "It's the Language, stupid!" - The Frightening Secret to Bush's Success http://www.renanabrooks.com/publication_itsthelanguage.html

My personal focus on the impact of language is the metaphysical aspect of the words we use-and how that might limit our perception of reality. Words (singularly and collectively) have not only the power of their "meanings," but of their vibrational level, the tone of their delivery, and the rhythm of their combinations. Just as the cadence of different types of music can cause specific alterations to our moods, so it is with the cadence of writing or speech.

Knowing this, I try to keep my mind open for the message that may not be immediately apparent to me. I am aware that there are times when an intended message so exceeds the range of explicit language that one may have to abandon words altogether (for imagery or music, for example) or at least use words in symbolic ways-in what may seem nonsensical to the rational mind-ways such as myth or Zen koan. Sometimes, as with poetry or fiction, the use of rhythm and symbolism is not to deliver a specific meaning from the author, but to create an environment where the reader/listener can encounter a message from deep within themselves.

**from the upcoming Strike a Chord of Silence

C.G. Walters primarily writes fiction that focuses on the multidimensionality of our loves and our lives. His current novel, Sacred Vow is a metaphysical novel about a man who responds to the mysterious call of [his soulmate], opening the way to redefinition of both himself and his understanding of the world around him...Highly recommended. -Midwest Book Review.

Receive new editions of Into the Mist through a reader http://feeds.feedburner.com/IntoTheMist

In celebration of CG's upcoming non-fiction book, Strike a Chord of Silence, for a limited time autographed/signed copies of Sacred Vow are available for $4.00US plus shipping!

This copyrighted article may be freely reprinted as long as the entire article and complete by line is included.

What do you want from our leaders?

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:57:43 -0000

...for George and company (US), to be tried in The Hague for war crimes, crimes against humanity...and in the States, also tried for crimes against the State.

What helps you stay open?

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:37:39 -0000

I can only be open by emptying out the clutter of distractions that I have periodically collected without noticing. When I am in this state, it seems my attention is scattered over my accumulation of mental/emotional trinkets that have magnetically attached themselves to me. I am unable to find my center. I am as a dancer out of balance, awkward, stumbling, likely to injure myself or others (in body, heart or spirit) if I continue that way.

Not surprisingly, in the times when I am unavailable to truly be open to others, I am also unavailable to be open to my authentic self.

An old story tells of an individual with a very busy mind going to talk with a teacher about Zen. The teacher listened intently and began to make tea as this fellow talked on about his thoughts, concerns, wishes, and imaginings. When the tea was ready, the master began to pour into her visitor's cup. Once the cup was full, she kept on pouring. Eventually, the fellow could watch no more and broke from his soliloquy to say: "Stop, stop! The cup is overfull. No more will go in!"

The teacher responded: "Like this cup, you are full of all manner of yourself. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

Oddly enough, it seems that most often the things I have so filled my attention with are not even things that I find that interesting-in fact much to the contrary-bills coming due, aggravations of the workday, things that have not gone as I planned, and dreams for the future. Each of these were things I needed to consider, but forgot to "put them down" once I had given them due consideration. Now and again, I am forced to realize the buildup, and do a thorough housecleaning-heart and mind-thinking the job is done-no need to concern myself with that for a while. However, without regular tidying/emptying, the next think I know the cup if full again and I am not taking in what anyone else is saying, not perceptive of the feelings of those around me (or myself).

For me, the best way of emptying my cup is either mediation or a walk in nature. Anything that will allow me to be completely passive will do it, allowing the clouds to come and go, without comment, concern, or contemplation-just a submissive lake beneath them, neither added to nor subtracted from by their reflection.

What do you want to be remembered for?

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:15:33 -0000

Remembered? A memory has more to do with the one entertaining it than anything to do with the supposed subject of a memory. The only real subject of a memory is always oneself-called forward for our own entertainment and written to our special interests. Additionally, it's re-written slightly anew every time the memory is awakened, because our needs and perspectives are slightly different each time we call. Memory is much like that river that you can never step in twice.

To paraphrase my perspective of my own memories: Memory is a dubious drink, for the flavor changes each time you bring it to your lips. Given enough aging-from my own experience-the product is more fiction than fact-but what fact is not ripe for becoming fiction?

Then again, I cannot blame memory for the situation, for we can be assured that even the initial scribing of any event was more a record of what we encountered in the mind than in the world. "It seems there is an initial emotional response to any significant experience. Emotions being energy, and energy having mass, per the principle of linear momentum (with objects in a closed isolated system, the total linear momentum of a system remains constant), the distance between actuality and personal perception of an event will increase indefinitely if allowed to progress without intervention. Then, few things pass through this world without some form of intervention. By whatever fortune, the self [ours or those we conjure in memory] of the past is not born of immutable material." http://kathmandau.blogspot.com/2007/12/truth-is-but-resting-place_08.html

So if one is remembered, then we can be expect to be remade in infinite variations, quite often in forms that have little to do with anything that we ever imagined ourselves to be. So, am I saying I would rather be forgotten? Not necessarily. To be remembered, as the one recalling is remaking you in reflection of an expression of themselves, is actually quite an honor. They are in fact making you part of themselves. No, I am not saying to be forgotten is favorable, only that if you are remembered, be aware that you might also be remade in forms that you might find offensive.

How would I wish to be remembered?-grit my teeth and be noble-In whatever manner that best serves the need of the spirit remaking me.

What draws us together?

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:42:17 -0000

With the idea that the question is really seeking an answer that provides example of some unifying elements, I think the focus should not be so on what connects us—as that is a given—but rather on how we imagine we are separate.

We fire up our ego, and conjure ourselves “separate,” isolated. We imagine we can divide—segment, disassociate—our conscious mind from our subconscious, our heart from our logic, our spirit from our secular. It is by dubious choice and repetitive choice that we create these illusory demarcations. Why then would we think that this alienation/separation would contain itself only within us? We create endless schemes of segmentation/separation: our household/not, our neighborhood/not, our friends/not, country/not, etc.

We are One, operating as “individual eyes” of the Absolute, each seeing a slightly varied aspect of a picture, all aspects coming together to create a depth perception that our human minds cannot even begin to perceive. This is the best example I know to explain the concept of each of us being a channel of perception for the Absolute: Close one eye only. Open it while closing the other.

Each eye sees a slightly different variation on the scene before it, yet the brain is able to blend two different signals into a collective view that gives greater depth perception and detail. So the greater complexity of the Infinite Intelligence is able to simultaneously perceive the “eye” of billions of individuals (and other lifeforms) in every moment through all time and realities.

We are one body, a body that encompasses all that we can perceive and then much more. As no cell within my body can be less than connected to another, so are we. The problem is that our minds seem to have forgotten (gotten confused by the elaborateness of themselves) the wisdom in the consciousness of cells.

How do we “connect?” By ceasing to imagine and enforce separateness.

How would you respond to those who feel overwhelmed by bad news?

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:41:40 -0000

This is more a “show me, don’t tell” solution. No amount of rationalization can resolve a problem of heart and spirit.

As within, so without.**

If you want to spread hope, you must exhibit within yourself. It’s like the example I gave recently of coming into a room filled with people whose mood was communally contrary to yours as you entered. Whether you stay in that room or not, most people will start to feel a shift in their state of mind, moving toward the collective attitude of the group.

You spread hope, joy, sense of self, etc. as you would a smile…by example. Even if no one initially responds, continue smiling. It can harm no one, and at very least is good for your own health and peace. Eventually, the smile will spread to those around you.

Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within [them] the gift of miracles.—Samuel Smiles

Another very important effort in bringing our world from its current malady is simply to acknowledge the value of every person you meet. Treat them with respect; listen to them. In respecting them (and yourself) treat them with kindness.

You project to the world around you what you hold within.
Peace within yourself is the cornerstone of peace in the world.**

What sort of people have you been communicating with?

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:06:00 -0000

This query sent me considering just what is the extent of our communication with the world around us. Now, with the base question, are we referring to literally speaking-face-to-face, phone, Skype? Audible voice exchange, or the broader figurative use, "communicating"? The latter would include all the means of exchanging words (email, IM, blogging, hardcopy publishing, lyrical music, video, etc) as well as the non-verbal communication (instrumental music, body language, visual arts, anything one brings something into visual association with oneself-i.e. the house you build, the clothes you wear, the way you walk, the face you make when interrupted).

We communicate at the social level. No cues (visual or audible) other than proximity seem to be necessary for this exchange. You may have experienced this by coming into a room filled with people whose mood was communally contrary to yours as you entered. Whether you stay in that room or not, most people will start to feel a shift in their state of mind, moving toward the collective attitude of the group. How quickly this happens seems to depend on the degree of association one feels with the individuals in the group, and the group as a whole.

We communicate culturally not only by the actions that we take (the way we purchase, vote, resist, make life choices) but the actions we do not take as well (i.e. being complicit to even something disagreeable to us personally by our lack of action against it). When we do not speak (intentionally) for ourselves, we allow the predominate message of the culture, the environment, or the situation to speak for us.

There is also the psychic communication. I am a full believer of this form. Even among the strongest doubters, many will acknowledge the otherwise unexplainable occurrences of individuals being immediately aware of the moment when their loved one has come to some injury. Also validation of this realm of communication would be the studies showing how focused prayer is beneficial to the improved health of those who are being prayed for. I even once read a study of dream where someone slept in one room and someone they had never met concentrated on a subject (for example, a merry-go-round) in the room next door. The sleeper was wired up to allow the researchers to monitor when they began to dream. At the appropriate moment to increase the likeliness of the dreamer remembering the dream, the researchers woke the dreamer. Quite often, the various dreamers were having a dream that included the item being focused on by the person next door.

Just in this very limited consideration of our ways of communication, it would suggest that even though one, as myself, might only look into the eyes and speak to very few people each day, the extent of my communication is much more far-reaching. The only problem I have with this newfound awareness is the responsibility of the impact of what I might be communicating without explicit intention. Since it seems that every aspect of my living is a communication to the collective of consciousness, I can only aspire to be more conscious of the life I am living and, therefore, the message I am sharing.

Unlikely Agent of Wisdom

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:44:59 -0000

Wisdom abounds in the words of the biggest fool. However, to perceive such encoded insight, one often needs either to be wise, or merely to be the Universe's intended receiver of the message.*

Let's say I were the trickster god-Coyote or Loki, for example-playfully exercising the awareness of a budding adept with a riddle, or if I were the guardian at the gate of wisdom, insuring no entrance by anyone not ready to wield the key to enlightenment. Where do you imagine would be the best place for me to hide the words of the most profound insights of the Universe?

There is no unlikely agent of wisdom. Only those we are least likely to recognize.*

Perhaps you might suggest I would hide the words on the lips of your enemy, someone that you dislike intensely or have contempt for. Sure, if you were not actively pursuing wisdom that might work. From the face of this person that you were so preconditioned to hearing loathsome trifles, the trickster could slip across the vital information that you needed, and because of the source you might discount that truth without ever really hearing what was said. However, once someone is earnestly open to insight-and their perceptiveness keenly stimulated-Coyote could not be certain that you would not notice the variance between the standard content of the speaker and this ‘hidden' wisdom.

A drunk or a lunatic, maybe? No. That's even easier to decipher than from our enemy. Over time, seekers have become used to the idea of the archetypal insight mixed in with the ravings of babblers. Neither would I chance hiding the vital insight in the words of children, actions of nature, into dream, or into art. People are often overanxious to read insight into these. Since such things are regularly scrutinized for import, as Loki I would not use any of those-unless for the purpose of misdirection, to present useless information that would be erroneously assumed to have value.

Consider this quote from Lao Tzu:

There is not need to run outside for better seeing,

Nor to peer from a window.

Rather abide at the center of your being,

For the more you leave it, the less you learn.

Have you noticed a pattern in the possibilities suggested for places to hide the secret? That pattern shows our general expectation of sources wisdom, and therefore suggests the best possible hiding place.

These suggested hiding places were all outside of ourselves!

One need not be wise to be the agent of wisdom.*

Consider where you go to seek out answers for the majority of the most substantial quandaries of your own life. Now order a sequential list of those sources in your mind, going from the one most trusted to the least. Once you have completed your list, please tell me if you were on that list. Unfortunately, when the tough questions need answering, most of us have defined ourselves as an "unlikely agent of wisdom."

As trickster, I would hide the most profound mysteries of the Universe, that which would most quickly bring any individual to enlightenment, on the lips of that very individual, in the middle of the most mundane chatter. I am often stunned by the insights offered by others, seemingly without their awareness of the value of what they have said. I have also been dumbfounded by what has just come out of my own mouth or pen (I'm referring to the positive surprises just now).

You must listen to learn. And when you speak, also listen.

If you are willing, you may be surprised what you will learn.*

Within you may be the teacher you seek. Surely, it is not the conscious mind, but then, that is never all that you are.

*from the upcoming STRIKE A CHORD OF SILENCE, a collection of guidance that the trickster slipped by me over 20 years ago

This is my truth. Only you can determine if there is any value in it for you.

This copyrighted article may be freely reprinted as long as the entire article and complete by line is included, without additions.

When is competition valuable?

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:00:15 -0000

Competition is sometimes useful as a bonding or social inspiration. But as fire is useful, there is a careful balance to be maintained or the useful can become the destroyer.

Personally, I am more inclined to Wu wei as a guide to achievement, rather than competitiveness. An excellent explanation of Wu wei comes from Alan Watts:

...Wu-wei, meaning not to force, refers to what we understand of one's acting accordingly to the nature, of one's moving in order to avoid a stroke, of one's swimming downstream, sailing before the wind, rolling like the waves or one's bending in order to win. (From Alan Watts - "Tao: the Watercourse Way").

Also, this variation on a verse from the Tao Te Ching is a wonderful reminder of a natural way of coming to one's destination/goal.

Lao Tzu - chapter 48

In the pursuit of achievement, every day something is acquired.

In the pursuit of Tao, every day pursuit is dropped.

Less and less is done.

Until non-action is achieved.

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.

The world is ruled by letting things take their course.

It cannot be ruled by interfering.

(translation by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English)

What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:34:00 -0000

Knowledge is the collection of information,

Wisdom, the understanding of knowledge.

Knowledge is the process of mind,

Wisdom, a process of the soul.

knowledge is the breadth,

Wisdom is the depth.**

** From the upcoming Strike a Chord of Silence