I thoroughly enjoyed our class exercise last week. I was viewing the world through my Jaguar (Yaguar) nagual (twin, "spirit animal)", looking down on a waterfall in the jungle; the sound of the waterfall filling my ears, as other living beings call out from a multitude of places; in a myriad of different voices . . . The wind tossing the hair on my face; listening . . . Then another Jaguar, a female, beautiful to behold, approaches and proceeds to challenge me; playfully. Soon we are rolling in the grass over one another's body as I take in her aroma . . . The game finished, she nudges a white seashell toward me and then departs . . . I hug the seashell to my heart, relishing my having just met her for what I hope is just the first time . . . I will not chase her yet . . . Less is more.
Jaguar
Releasing fear
I move with courage and strength
In harmony with the power of thunder
I relish in the freshness of water
Even in the midst of chaos I see pathways
Leading to the things I want
I am Stealth Walker of the Dark
Keeper of Time, Guardian of the Unknown
I discern subtle changes and movement in the dark
I move with ease
I'll take my prey with one leap now
by DreamMerchant (me)
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Unit 3 My Health and Wellness
I pause to reflect on the state of my health and wellness and find that my ratings, on a scale of one to ten include:
A. Physical wellness . . . 8. I am up there in years of experience and have sufficient joy, pleasure, stress and distress to fill about three separate lifetimes. In spite of this my physical health is very good; but I have the goal of improving my present state so that I can enjoy the equivalent of at least one or two more "lifetimes".
B. Spiritual wellbeing . . . 10. I started out during the 1970s exploring alternate realities some of which were very enlightening; others that were very risky. Then, at the height of my experimentation I discovered the name of Jesus and found out that He was not just "the white man's god"; but the cause, the reason, and the Savior of the world. I walked this path for many years in church and "Christian" activities. Then after my wife died, I walked away and underwent seven years of clinical depression. Then, when I had exhausted all my human strength and resources, I found Him; and in the space of two weeks was freed of the impulses and thoughts of suicide, the mental torment of self-recrimination, and the continual physical symptoms of depression, which included a tension so strong it seemed like electricity coursing through my body. My life is different now, I have come to realize that being a Christian is not just about acquiring information about the things of God and the Bible; but rather a relationship of love, humility, growth, and the aspiration of serving Him again, but this time for real.
C. Psychological wellbeing . . . 10. I have become, and continue becoming a whole person; fully accepting of who I am and aspiring to become the servant that God wants me to be. I am cleansed of hate, judgement of others, pride and spiritual and intellectual arrogance. I am very happy now and my family (Two Daughters, their Husbands, and my three Grandchildren) are my life right now. I am in the legacy stage of life and pursing a degree in Health and Wellness are a part of the legacy and practices I wish to inherit to my children, my children's children, and my generations.
In thinking about my goals in the physical, spiritual and psychological areas; I want to:
A. Physical - Improve my muscle tone and flexibility. I've started on this by weight lifting (for endurance); I plan to expand this by taking a class in Tai Chi.
B. Spiritual - For the last four years, I have made my life's priority to please God; which I understand as loving Him, worshiping Him, sand serving Him. This is something I seek accomplishing through my continued reading of the Ancient Scriptures (Bible); prayer and meditation on his Word, as well as worshipping through praise and adoration expressed through spontaneous song that is born from deep within my heart . . . I define spirituality a little different from the way it is used in our textbook; which (to me) is more about exploring the human capacity for inner/alternate realities, which include visual imagery, meditation and the use of body exercises to access various levels of human inner experience . . . But in tune with the textbook definition of spirituality, I seek to develop my capacity for inner experience through learning to apply Eastern techniques that can help me access deeper levels of self awareness; learning to direct intention for the purpose of health and healing; and learning techniques that I can introduce to my patients.
C. Psychological - I am seeking my psychological and intellectual self-development through seeking my degree in Health and Wellness as a means to become more involved in helping others achieve their desire for an improved existence here on Earth.
Journey on . . .
I've not been able to access the weblink containing the track for Unit 3's Exercise; I got a bit anxious about it and tried different things with my computer; but no success. Perhaps the link will be accessible later . . . In the meantime, I did the Subtle Mind Exercises from the CD The Path to Human Flourishing:
I found myself on the beach in Northern California, I was 21 again, and with the most Christ-like person I had ever known up to then. His name was Father Bernard Menard, a Quebecois, and an Oblate of Mary Imaculate.
We had communion on the beach; a loaf of bread and a bottle of California Merlot. I could hear someone playing the flute somewherere; unseen. I recalled his soothing voice, and how he held is open palms just a few inches from my ears, as I looked within and realized that Christ was mine; my Lord. I was now in love with God, and realized how worthy the experience of life is and that I would never be the same again. We made candles in the sand, adorned with seashells and driftwood. The sun was setting in the sea, and he said, "Look inside; it is just as beautiful in there". And it was. Eyes closed, the waves of the ocean's sound, the flute in the distance; like a Native Flute. Yes, I was discovering who I was in God, and yet I was not being called to abandon my people nor my culture. I experienced the awe and greatness of being a Human Being.
And now, back in my study, laying on a mattress, I realize that the same feelings and thoughts I experienced when I was 21 that summer, are still with me after all these years; with one difference . . . That difference is in my capacity to hold and have so much love to give to those around me. I wish I had known that then; life would have been so much different. But now, the me I was is here and I am able to dedicate my thoughts, my actions, my intentions to be a greater blessing to others. Now, I hear not only the Native Flute; but also a Symphony! It is Wonderful to be alive.
A. Physical wellness . . . 8. I am up there in years of experience and have sufficient joy, pleasure, stress and distress to fill about three separate lifetimes. In spite of this my physical health is very good; but I have the goal of improving my present state so that I can enjoy the equivalent of at least one or two more "lifetimes".
B. Spiritual wellbeing . . . 10. I started out during the 1970s exploring alternate realities some of which were very enlightening; others that were very risky. Then, at the height of my experimentation I discovered the name of Jesus and found out that He was not just "the white man's god"; but the cause, the reason, and the Savior of the world. I walked this path for many years in church and "Christian" activities. Then after my wife died, I walked away and underwent seven years of clinical depression. Then, when I had exhausted all my human strength and resources, I found Him; and in the space of two weeks was freed of the impulses and thoughts of suicide, the mental torment of self-recrimination, and the continual physical symptoms of depression, which included a tension so strong it seemed like electricity coursing through my body. My life is different now, I have come to realize that being a Christian is not just about acquiring information about the things of God and the Bible; but rather a relationship of love, humility, growth, and the aspiration of serving Him again, but this time for real.
C. Psychological wellbeing . . . 10. I have become, and continue becoming a whole person; fully accepting of who I am and aspiring to become the servant that God wants me to be. I am cleansed of hate, judgement of others, pride and spiritual and intellectual arrogance. I am very happy now and my family (Two Daughters, their Husbands, and my three Grandchildren) are my life right now. I am in the legacy stage of life and pursing a degree in Health and Wellness are a part of the legacy and practices I wish to inherit to my children, my children's children, and my generations.
In thinking about my goals in the physical, spiritual and psychological areas; I want to:
A. Physical - Improve my muscle tone and flexibility. I've started on this by weight lifting (for endurance); I plan to expand this by taking a class in Tai Chi.
B. Spiritual - For the last four years, I have made my life's priority to please God; which I understand as loving Him, worshiping Him, sand serving Him. This is something I seek accomplishing through my continued reading of the Ancient Scriptures (Bible); prayer and meditation on his Word, as well as worshipping through praise and adoration expressed through spontaneous song that is born from deep within my heart . . . I define spirituality a little different from the way it is used in our textbook; which (to me) is more about exploring the human capacity for inner/alternate realities, which include visual imagery, meditation and the use of body exercises to access various levels of human inner experience . . . But in tune with the textbook definition of spirituality, I seek to develop my capacity for inner experience through learning to apply Eastern techniques that can help me access deeper levels of self awareness; learning to direct intention for the purpose of health and healing; and learning techniques that I can introduce to my patients.
C. Psychological - I am seeking my psychological and intellectual self-development through seeking my degree in Health and Wellness as a means to become more involved in helping others achieve their desire for an improved existence here on Earth.
Journey on . . .
I've not been able to access the weblink containing the track for Unit 3's Exercise; I got a bit anxious about it and tried different things with my computer; but no success. Perhaps the link will be accessible later . . . In the meantime, I did the Subtle Mind Exercises from the CD The Path to Human Flourishing:
I found myself on the beach in Northern California, I was 21 again, and with the most Christ-like person I had ever known up to then. His name was Father Bernard Menard, a Quebecois, and an Oblate of Mary Imaculate.
We had communion on the beach; a loaf of bread and a bottle of California Merlot. I could hear someone playing the flute somewherere; unseen. I recalled his soothing voice, and how he held is open palms just a few inches from my ears, as I looked within and realized that Christ was mine; my Lord. I was now in love with God, and realized how worthy the experience of life is and that I would never be the same again. We made candles in the sand, adorned with seashells and driftwood. The sun was setting in the sea, and he said, "Look inside; it is just as beautiful in there". And it was. Eyes closed, the waves of the ocean's sound, the flute in the distance; like a Native Flute. Yes, I was discovering who I was in God, and yet I was not being called to abandon my people nor my culture. I experienced the awe and greatness of being a Human Being.
And now, back in my study, laying on a mattress, I realize that the same feelings and thoughts I experienced when I was 21 that summer, are still with me after all these years; with one difference . . . That difference is in my capacity to hold and have so much love to give to those around me. I wish I had known that then; life would have been so much different. But now, the me I was is here and I am able to dedicate my thoughts, my actions, my intentions to be a greater blessing to others. Now, I hear not only the Native Flute; but also a Symphony! It is Wonderful to be alive.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Welcome Dears . . .
From the time I was a child, I have believed that there is more to reality and life than that which people call the norm. But that never felt comfortable; there must be something more, I have said to myself again and again. That was many, many years ago; now I am convinced beyond any doubt that human beings have capabilities beyond those which we use in everyday life; we have within us ways of perceiving and modes of intentional action that once awakened leave one changed.
There have been inner conflicts; and even struggles with myself and even other powers. However today, I know that God has always had his hand on me; keeping me safe and allowing me to learn so that he can one day use me.
I am excited about our class . . . It is interesting to note that ancient traditional knowledge is finding validity and even being incorporated into a scientific method in search of healing and self transformation. As for myself, I believe that God is the only one that can transform a life. I am the proof of this because he transformed me from a clinically depressed "ineffectual" man into myself today: happy, joyful and triumphant.
I've always been facinated by the world of Curanderismo because I beleive there are parts of these ancient practices which are biblically redeemable. This is my quest.
There have been inner conflicts; and even struggles with myself and even other powers. However today, I know that God has always had his hand on me; keeping me safe and allowing me to learn so that he can one day use me.
I am excited about our class . . . It is interesting to note that ancient traditional knowledge is finding validity and even being incorporated into a scientific method in search of healing and self transformation. As for myself, I believe that God is the only one that can transform a life. I am the proof of this because he transformed me from a clinically depressed "ineffectual" man into myself today: happy, joyful and triumphant.
I've always been facinated by the world of Curanderismo because I beleive there are parts of these ancient practices which are biblically redeemable. This is my quest.
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