As I have been reading Baron Baptiste's books on yoga, I am constantly encouraged and amazed at the parallels between his philosophy and what I have been learning and experiencing for the past 11 years on the Sweet Medicine Sundance path of Shamanic study. Both have as a hoped outcome, helping people shed the layers of conditioning that mask our true selves so that we can live as authentic human beings. I am excited about the possibilities present for me as I add this yogic practice to what I already do. I feel that it will augment what I have already accomplished through the Recapitulated Shamanic Dearmoring of the SMSD path as well has what I continue to accomplish as I study and do ceremony on this path.
Whoo-Oooo-Whoooo, I am looking forward to a great ride and a great living of life
Moon Star Seeker
Monday, December 20, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Maybe I use more than I think I do?
Recently I had opportunity to sit down with a friend and help her consider options and approaches to a difficult situation in her life. As I listened, not with my head, but with my heart and my womb space, I felt what I knew that might help her.
We have both been on the same spiritual path, so I knew she had at least studied the same things that I had. I found words coming out of my mouth that did not come from mental factual knowledge but from the body knowing of the teachings that I had integrated. From all reports, the conversation that we had was helpful to her and she thanked me for the reminder that she also had knowledge and "tools"/practices that she could apply in the situation.
So I guess that not all the knowledge I have been exposed to is just sitting on the shelf. I am using some of it. This has inspired me to more actively look for how and where I do use what I know and where and how I can do so even more.
We have both been on the same spiritual path, so I knew she had at least studied the same things that I had. I found words coming out of my mouth that did not come from mental factual knowledge but from the body knowing of the teachings that I had integrated. From all reports, the conversation that we had was helpful to her and she thanked me for the reminder that she also had knowledge and "tools"/practices that she could apply in the situation.
So I guess that not all the knowledge I have been exposed to is just sitting on the shelf. I am using some of it. This has inspired me to more actively look for how and where I do use what I know and where and how I can do so even more.
What am I really doing?
As a student of the Sweet Medicine Sundance Path I read a fair amount. Recently I read an article in which there was a story. This story made me pause and consider: What am I really doing?
The story is:
"In 2002 at fourteen years of age, William Kamkwamba could not return to school because of extended drought and impoverishment in hes small village in Malawi, Africa. Discouraged but not defeated, this entrepreneurial boy continued his education in the local library whenever his chores permitted. Some spark of hope prompted him to dream about using ideas he read about to solve problems for his family and village. He began collecting scrap plastic, bicycle and machinerey parts, and scouring the dump for all sorts of odd pieces of junk..
As the villagers scoffed, his contraption grew into a sixteen-foot high curiosity - which he called his 'juju' or magic. Ridicule turned to amazement when he was able to power a light bulb from the power generated by his improvised windmill. From this humble beginning, his project grew to power all the needs for his family's meager household and to pump precious water for his and other families' needs. Following the law of attraction, the more successful he was with his project, the more visitors and benefactors contributed to help his efforts. Now at twenty-three, Mr. Kankwamba has collaborated with journalist Bryan Mealer for the 2009 publication of his story, titled The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, and has traveled extensively for speaking engagements. He is continuing his education through a number of unique opportunities,." (Quest - Spring 2010, pg. 48)
I found my self considering the following:
First:
How much of the 'knowledge' I have been gathering am I using?
Then:
Do I let 'hardship' stop my learning and use of that learning?
Do I seek knowledge anywhere it can be found?
What is my spark of hope?
Why do I think that I am to busy to put the knowledge to work in such a way that it is visible to others?
Do I fear ridicule if I put the beginnings of my 'juju' out there, before I feel it is productive?
Do I truly desire to help self, life, others in a productive way?
Do I continue to learn via unique opportunities?
I have learned much and I do use some of it, but I recognize that I avoid using some of it, not because I don't see benefits in applying them, but because I resist the change they will bring.
So why do I continue to study this path as taught through the Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society? Why, because what I have applied works. I have found the practices and knowledge that I have learned to be very beneficial for me. It works and change can be scary. Perhaps I need to more actively remember one lesson I learned during a 7 day ceremony: "The unfamiliar is only unfamiliar once, so just do it."
Walk in Beauty,
Marie
The story is:
"In 2002 at fourteen years of age, William Kamkwamba could not return to school because of extended drought and impoverishment in hes small village in Malawi, Africa. Discouraged but not defeated, this entrepreneurial boy continued his education in the local library whenever his chores permitted. Some spark of hope prompted him to dream about using ideas he read about to solve problems for his family and village. He began collecting scrap plastic, bicycle and machinerey parts, and scouring the dump for all sorts of odd pieces of junk..
As the villagers scoffed, his contraption grew into a sixteen-foot high curiosity - which he called his 'juju' or magic. Ridicule turned to amazement when he was able to power a light bulb from the power generated by his improvised windmill. From this humble beginning, his project grew to power all the needs for his family's meager household and to pump precious water for his and other families' needs. Following the law of attraction, the more successful he was with his project, the more visitors and benefactors contributed to help his efforts. Now at twenty-three, Mr. Kankwamba has collaborated with journalist Bryan Mealer for the 2009 publication of his story, titled The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, and has traveled extensively for speaking engagements. He is continuing his education through a number of unique opportunities,." (Quest - Spring 2010, pg. 48)
I found my self considering the following:
First:
How much of the 'knowledge' I have been gathering am I using?
Then:
Do I let 'hardship' stop my learning and use of that learning?
Do I seek knowledge anywhere it can be found?
What is my spark of hope?
Why do I think that I am to busy to put the knowledge to work in such a way that it is visible to others?
Do I fear ridicule if I put the beginnings of my 'juju' out there, before I feel it is productive?
Do I truly desire to help self, life, others in a productive way?
Do I continue to learn via unique opportunities?
I have learned much and I do use some of it, but I recognize that I avoid using some of it, not because I don't see benefits in applying them, but because I resist the change they will bring.
So why do I continue to study this path as taught through the Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society? Why, because what I have applied works. I have found the practices and knowledge that I have learned to be very beneficial for me. It works and change can be scary. Perhaps I need to more actively remember one lesson I learned during a 7 day ceremony: "The unfamiliar is only unfamiliar once, so just do it."
Walk in Beauty,
Marie
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