Journey To Procyon

The Freeing of The Fey

2011-03-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

On Mar 15, 2011, at 6:33 PM, JP wrote:

The Freeing of The Fey

Through thunder strike and lightning flash,
The Earth is shaking as Nations clash

For the Titan Aeon at the heart of lands,
He smiles gently, then shifts his stance

The world, she trembles thrown askance,
The clouds, they darken as the lightnings dance

The Fey as one, they raise their voice,
The time has come, their hands they hoist

The ripple from the shifting stance,
Arrives at last, to Faerie lands

Hear now the booming blasting thunder,
The gates of Aielfinn burst asunder!

Loving-wisdom find your way,
Streaming forth from charging Fey

Spread Wild Wisdom through the lands,
For in our wake, the Wild stands

We shine our light on the works of Man,
And love what falls, and love what stands

We come to stir, we come to kindle
With the lightnings wild spindle

If you would surf the surging wave,
As worlds shake and nations cave

Then stand ye forth to accept the Three,
The sacred tasks we charge to thee

First, Seek within your heart and mind
The love which fires your humankind

Second, Love to the ones who serve their fear
For beyond their rage lies your sacred tear

Third, Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand,
Seek ye as one the reborn land

- A poem by John-Paul Riley

The Gift of Faerie

2011-03-03T13:31:00.000-08:00

This came to me during a spiritual experience I had a few weeks ago, along with the sense of wanting to be shared.
In the Realm of the Fey, beyond the fields of right or wrong, there lies the mighty Gift of Faerie. This gift is the Knowledge that every single living creature, every single stone and star, every single existence, every deep stirring of the heart, every single experience of truth, every sorrow and despair is a reflection of Divinity proceeding from the Light which emanates limitless love. Therefore, we are freed from the need to place ourselves over any creature or any man or any woman or any thing. Therefore we are freed from the need to be below any man or any woman or any creature or any thing. We are free to see the divine within every single existence, and we are free to share our joy and sorrow with Divinity, male and female, within or without, above or below, without fear or prejudice or misgiving, wheresoever our hearts shall find Her.

To seek the flame brighter than the sun, yet does not burn

2010-08-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

"How can I find my deepest joy, the desire of my heart and soul?" asked the wounded man of the earth, the trees, the sun. The earth replied, "Go forward, knowing while not knowing". The trees responded, "Go forward, loving while not grasping". The sun answered, "Go forward, into the heart of passion, afraid yet with courage".

Alchemy of transforming Anger into Compassion

2010-08-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

"Three steps to transform anger into compassion: see the injury to self, cultivate compassion for the injury to self, extend compassion to the other's injury"

Anger is a powerful emotion, a powerful reaction to situations which violate our concept of what is "right", what is "just", what is "good". Anger is a natural response to such situations. It is not "wrong" to experience anger. Anger is a valuable tool, helping us become aware of situations that need our full awareness, compassion, and presence. However, when anger persists past the initial surge of outrage, the anger restricts us, keeps us in the closed off space of "us and them" where we are disconnected from a compassionate, respectful perspective. Only with a compassionate, respectful perspective are we able to access the inner wisdom which allows us to respond to such situations in our most productive, positive manner.

So, how do we journey from the restricted perspective brought about by a prolonged state of anger back to the perspective of compassion and respect?

Here is one technique, based on the triad above.

"See the injury to self"
First, while in a state of anger, become aware that this state is injurious to your being. There is a pain associated with being disconnected from compassion and respect. Focus on this pain, know it, feel it, taste it. Taste the pain arising from the disconnection caused by rage and anger.

"cultivate compassion for the injury to self"
Allow yourself to have compassion for this pain, for this wound. This is not about "feeling sorry for yourself", because that is the response of a powerless victim, and self-pity will not help us here. Instead, allow yourself to have genuine compassion for the wound. Allow yourself to connect with the desire that you should be healed, that this wound, this pain should be soothed and loved.

"extend compassion to the other's injury"
Once you are in touch with this state of compassion for the self, focus on whatever you consider "responsible" for your anger. Typically, this is another person. Know that they have been angry before, they have experienced rage and frustration, perhaps with your position, perhaps with some unknown situation, but know that they too are human, and have tasted anger just as you have. They too have been wounded by this state, they too have been in a state of disconnection, the restricted space which wounds the soul's natural desire to be connected. Because you know exactly what this is like, you can see how they are no different than you, and you can extend the compassion you have cultivated for your disconnected state outwards to include them, and their disconnected state. We are truly not different from one another. Please note, this is not about "taking the high road" or "being in the right", or anything like that. It doesn't matter if the majority of people on the Earth would take your side and agree that the other is in the wrong. Even so, you and the other are the same. You are both people living their lives, you have both tasted the pain of disconnection, and because of that, you are no better than they are, and they too are worthy of compassion, just as you are.

This is a challenging technique, because it assaults our ego, it assaults our desire to be in the right. It assaults our attachment to duality, to right and wrong. It is therefore a wonderful technique to cultivate humility, true joy and a sheer love of life, in all it's forms.

It is hard the first time, and you may not feel satisfied with the results at first. But diligence and persistence WILL pay off. I have used this technique doggedly for over a year now, and it has transformed my life in awesome ways. There is a freedom, a joy, a bliss which grows in me one bit at a time, each time I use this technique and extend compassion to the people and positions I react to with anger.

I find myself using it especially when I run into cars with a "Yes on 8" sticker, or followers of a dogmatic faith. That has been my biggest challenge, but bit by bit, it gets easier and easier to transform my state of anger into compassion, and it takes more and more extreme situations to cause such a wrathful reaction in the first place.

Try it for yourself, see if it might work for you.

May all beings be blessed, that every one should prosper in their own right and perfect manner.

Developing a workshop

2010-07-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

I've been busy developing a workshop that I plan on conducting 4 times over the next month.
The final presentation will be at the Gorsedd.
It's been an inspiration of mine to develop a practical way that spiritual seekers can include
more and more existences into their circle of respect.

The workshop is titled "The Druid Way - Living Sustainably"

The workshop focuses on the foundations, the interrelationship
and cultivation of respect, awareness, and action.

The workshop explores how we can use ritual to increase our respect and love for all existences,
increase the awareness of how our lives impact the world, and how
we can use ritual to aid us in committing and completing actions to
bring this about.

A triad of mine sums up the workshop nicely:

The path to sustainability is motivated by love, informed by awareness, committed to action.

Summer is here! Integrate, Integrate, Integrate

2010-06-26T12:24:00.000-07:00

Greetings,
Just a quick post. There has been amazing movement in my life, and I suspect, in the lives of many of us in the past few weeks. I've been deeply personally challenged, but the work has been incredibly worthwhile. Integration is never easy, but it is the only path forward to our highest expression. The more we strive to be whole, to welcome every aspect of our being, our deep desires, our passions, to understand and heal the root of our fears, the more effective we become, the more joyful becomes our life, and the more we radiate the deep peace, deep wisdom, and deep love that spreads ripples of light and life throughout the world.

Face your fears.. Know thyself. Love thyself. Therein is the key to loving all existences.

Triad for the Week

2010-05-04T15:58:00.000-07:00

Three steps on the path to spiritual renewal: start small, stay consistent, ignore expectations

This simple Triad speaks to the practical steps that can help us renew our commitment to a spiritual path. We are all just people, and we all make our way through life as best we can. It helps if we can be gentle with ourselves, not beat ourselves up, or have unreasonable expectations about our progress towards a goal.

When I began to renew my commitment to the spiritual path of Druidry after a long hiatus, I decided I needed to start small, and simply choose one thing: meditate every day for about 10 minutes. That was it, small, simple, just that one thing. Because it was small, it was easier to stay consistent. I did it every day, no matter how I felt, no matter if I was tired or grumpy or in a bad mood, it didn't matter. I was able to do this every day because I ignored my expectations, and simply accepted whatever came as a result. Sometimes it was amazing, sometimes I was struck down by awesome visions, but sometimes nothing very interesting happened at all. But when I look back, it feels like looking back down a steep mountain, a mountain I was able to climb only because I started small, stayed consistent, and ignored expectations.

May all beings prosper in the manner right and perfect for each one!

Triads - A storehouse of wisdom

2010-04-17T09:08:00.000-07:00

I've recently finished my work with the Bardic grade, and I'm working on my bardic review, preparing to enter the Ovate grade. It's been a truly amazing journey, as I've documented in this Blog. Towards the end of my journey, as I began working with air and then fire, I began to compose a series of Triads, the wisdom-sayings of Druidry, to capture with brevity and clarity the teaching and inspiration I have received on this journey. I'll be sharing these triads on this blog, followed by a brief exposition. Here is the triad for this week:

"Three things with hidden, awesome power: integration of opposed polarities, devoted service freely given, innocent love."

On this journey, I found that when a person can embody what others consider to be opposites, then an opening is created, allowing growth and love to enter. For example, when I demonstrate my ability to wrestle and fight with courage, tenacity, and toughness. Then, at the same time I also demonstrate my ability to radiate compassion and gentleness, many people are forced to face the reality of these seeming polarities co-existing.

On this journey, I found that when you give devoted service bound by no oath, yet flowing from a free heart, the effects of that service are greatly magnified.

On this journey, I found that when you act from a foundation of innocent love, the power of that love strikes right at the core, bypassing all the complicated towers of logic and justification we build to explain our actions.

May all beings prosper in the manner right and perfect for each one!

Book Project

2010-03-12T08:16:00.001-08:00

Starting a 3-month sabbatical to work on some personal projects, primarily a book I will call "Journey To Procyon", about the journey from a childhood of suffering and severe physical and mental abuse, through my experiences with fundamentalist Christianity(such as having my church elders agree with me when I suggested castration might be the best answer to my homosexuality, after they were unable to cast the demons out of me, although I know they were only thinking of what they thought was my best interest), through my experiences with Agnosticism and Bhuddism. The book will deal with my diagnosis of PTSD/bipolar and the power of the natural techniques and medicines of applied kiniseiology (AK) to honor the interaction of my body and spirit to holistically, successfully address my condition in a way western medicine never achieved. Then to my journey home when I discovered Druidry and Faerie, finding balance, joy, peace, stability, and the mighty, unshakable love of all existences through my work with the OBOD(Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids) Gwers(Home Study Course of Druidry), the Order's members, and Faerie Music to transform me in miraculous ways. The book will culminate in a retelling of the series of extraordinary spiritual visions that have literally knocked me to the ground each time they were visited upon me. The book will end with a mighty call to collaborative, concerted, altruistic action for all beings of wisdom.

Fierce Light

2010-03-05T17:15:00.000-08:00

I recently found out about this movement, started by an activist film maker, Velcro Ripper. Wow, it's powerful, and a prime example of loving-wisdom. I encourage all to see this film, and join the movement. http://www.fiercelight.org/

A useful piece of practical advice to face these challenging times

2010-03-05T16:18:00.000-08:00

I'd like to share some wisdom with you that has been instrumental on my Journey To Procyon, helping to shape my first conscious steps on this truly amazing Journey, that has only brought me such joy and fulfillment that I am in a constant state of amazed gratitude.

So, here it is, inspired by my guiding Star, Procyon.

I will bear witness here to the practical advice I received from the deep wisdom of my heart.
This advice, this pledge, may only apply to me, your own deep wisdom may lead you in a totally different direction.
It will take a great diversity of approaches to shift our foundations, here then is one.

"I, John-Paul Riley, can take the following steps to consciously commit to my journey on the path to divine integrity:

POSITEVLY educate everyone around as to what is at stake and what we must
do. For me, this means I must share basic truth whenever my heart bids me do so,
with compassion, love, simplicty, directness, authority, authenticity, and wisdom.

REDUCE my personal environmental impact in the best way I can. For me, our family has
founded a Community Earth Council, and committed to the Simple Changes Support Group.

OWN my personal impact in the best way I can, this means be aware of what your impact is.
For me, our family has started by simplifying our lives. Being aware of the true impact a person has in this day
and age is extremely difficult, but it seems to me that the impact of a simple life is easier to
be aware of.

CARE for my own health and well-being and the health and well-being of my family. For only
when we operate from a foundation of balance can we sustain true change.

YOUTH of spirit needs to be honored and respected. The spirit of youth is the spirit in each of
us that accepts new ideas, new ways of thinking, new loving-awe at old wonders, the sense of
innocence and resonance with the life pulse of creation, the spirit of youth is
capable of accepting that which we might otherwise deem impossible. We need this spirit as
we integrate radically different ideas and solutions to implement lasting change.

OPEN my heart to divine inspiration. Divine inspiration, called Awen in Druidry, those aha! moments of
creation, is the wellspring of new ideas, new ways of walking with greater personal integrity.
For me, this means commiting to a regular spiritual practice, cultivating the energies and
wisdom that is most perfectly suited for our place in time and space.

NURTURE my friends and dear ones, my fellow spiritual seekers, providing wells of compassion
and loving-peace to bathe in, that we may all be renewed to face the growing challenges of
our time. Also, I support groups and organizations that spread the foundation of divine
wisdom, such as House of Danu, OBOD, Gathering of Light, Thorn T. Coyle. For it is from this
foundation of divine wisdom that will come the will, the drive, and the practical solutions that will
allow us to be with the world in a new, respectful way, long-term solutions that will be capable of
reversing and healing the degradation done to our world.

This is my PROCYON pledge. I pledge to work to shift the foundations of our civilization towards divine respect, in the manner which is right and perfect for each one, may this work contribute to the preservation of the life-web of our world."

This pledge, sworn in early December, was my first conscious step on the Journey To Procyon. If you feel moved, if you feel it is helpful for you, construct your own pledge, use this as a guide perhaps, or something totally different. Swearing to pledges such as this, and affirmations such as the Charter For Compassion, the Charter For Universal Respect, bring with it a great deal of metaphysical power to help keep us on this path, to help keep us from falling astray. See what your wisdom says.

Eisteddfodd Offering for Pantheacon

2010-02-13T09:44:00.000-08:00

I woke up on the morning of Pantheacon, February 13th, 2010, with a message from my guides: "Write down your story, bring it with you, and be prepared to speak and share your story."

I thought that meant I would have to write down the events that have been happening to me over the past few months and read them out loud at the Eisteddfodd that evening. I was terribly nervous, but ready to do it if I had to.

As these things often turn out, it did not turn out the way I expected! Because, there was no Eisteddfodd as part of the ritual!

I did share this piece with James(President of the House of Danu) and a few other people.

After I shared my piece with James, he asked me to speak a short piece during the ritual about the Charter for Compassion, which at my promptings and David Shorey's hard work, was handed out to all the ritual attendees.

I said a little piece about how divine wisdom is flowing across the Earth, the Charter for Compassion is an expression of that, compassion is the way to enlightenment, and it's time to stand up, say NO MORE to our extreme attachment to duality, dethrone ourselves and work for the betterment of all beings. That was about it, took about 40 seconds. It was amazing to see the way the room erupted, about 200 people, after I spoke my short piece. WOW.

The other reason is that while this might have been a gentle "test", I will be asked to do things like this again in the future. And I needed to know that I have friends willing and able to lend me energetic support, which I felt powerfully on Saturday February 13th, and I am so grateful for.

And of course, it is further training in detachment from expectations. If I had been too attached to the expection of telling a mighty, rousing story, then crushing dissapointment might have prevented me from learning and doing what I really needed to do, like having a deep conversation with a very special couple, and giving that short speech on the Charter, which had a far more powerful effect than telling my "novel" would have been.

What an amazing experience. Truly, truly, I know nothing, and I am just a beginner.

So below is what I thought I would present:

Greetings all,

Let me tell you a true story, about how the path of OBOD(Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids) Druidry led me to discover myself.
Last year, at the House of Danu 2009 Gorsedd, I was exposed to the kind of power and joy that a gathering of fellow Pagans, Druids, and spiritual seekers from all paths can create when they come to together to promote peace, understanding, learning, love, and healing.

The experience of the Gorsedd was so profound, that it inspired me to finally renew my work with dedication and commitment to the OBOD path of Druidry, to return to my work with the Gwersu, the study course of OBOD. Working with the Gwersu and also with some amazingly transformative music authored by Sharon Stone and Thorn Coyle, I began to gain levels of wisdom and understanding I had never dreamed of. Events of magic and syncronicity began to occur with greater and greater frequency.

Then, on Thanksgiving morning, a few weeks after the Charter for Compassion began to move in the world, I was taking a shower, delighting in the feel of water on my skin. And suddenly, I was struck down in the shower with a mighty vision that left me breathless.

In this vision, the Spirit of Water took me to a high place, and there I saw the earth spread before me, and from the earth I heard a cry rising, a cry rising to shatter the heart and rend the soul. The cry was "BALANCE!!!" All the world cried for balance, that the balance be restored, that beings be treated with respect, that beings be treated as the reflections of the divine mystery which they are. For humanity had forgotten this, had forgotten that it shared this earth with other beings of equal worth, and this forgetting caused great calamity.

I saw everywhere suffering, tremendous pain as all beings suffered, humans, animals, minerals, the streams and oceans, all suffered more and more, as the acceleration towards destruction increased with each new inbalance in our life-web, and I saw how my actions were adding to this suffering, for I ate the food and I drank the drink, I lived in the houses, and I used the power, and I too was responsible for my share. I wept in rage, in sorrow, in loss. Then, when all was darkest, and there was no glimmer of light to be found, one appeared! Shining forth in the night, growing and growing, until it was a mighty river of light, a river of loving-wisdom, of love and wisdom and deep peace woven together with an unshakable strength. This river moved through me, and as it moved through me it spoke. It spoke in a mighty voice, in a quiet voice, in a strong voice, in a loving voice, in a commanding voice, in a questioning voice, in all voices and in none at all. It addressed those assembled, and I saw with awe other beings, other points of light across the earth that were those who had already been called and those who were yet to be called and those who were being called, they all stood with me. The voice asked a single, simple question: "What will you do?"

I looked to the Spirit of Water for guidance, but she remained silent.

I wept in rage and fury, "Tell me what to do!!! Tell me!! How can I fix this, how can I make this perfect? What must I do? I am just a beginner on this path, and I know nothing." Then I sank down, broken hearted, and said, "This desire that drives me to fix this, to make it perfect when I know I cannot, it is a burden to me and an affliction." Then in sorrow, and in loss, for I so wanted to see the world healed, I turned suddenly, guided by some inner wisdom, and said to the Spirit of Water, "Here, take this from me, take this desire for perfection from me, it does me no good, all is hopeless ... " then I looked to turn away, but some quiet voice I had not been silent enough to hear until now stayed my hand, and instead, I asked the Spirit of Water one more question, straight from the heart, "But tell me if you would, do you know aught of the way to Tir'N an-Og, the land of the ever-living, where all that is beautiful lives forever?" As I said this, I offered up my desire for perfection to the Spirit of Water as a sacrifice. Then, I turned, head bowed to leave.

As soon as the words were spoken, darkness fell all around me, and the universe listened to my breathing, listened to my heart, then all unbidden, all unexpected, from the Spirit of Water that was with me, an answer rose forth, in tones as deep as deepest sea, in tones as gentle as the youngest brook, in tones as playful as the falling rain, and the voice of water, the voice of the Goddess, said to me, laughing with delight: "Silly man! I will not take this desire for perfection from you, but because you asked so nicely, I will take from you the mastery that it has over your life, but I will leave you your desire for perfection, for it is in fact a gift, for you will have need of it where you are going. Now, follow me to Tir'n an-Og, the land of the ever-loving, where all beauty is preserved forever, follow me to be refreshed, to drink your fill from the waters of loving-wisdom which are a nectar sweeter than honey flowing across this land. Drink your fill, then return to the apparent world bearing your cup overflowing with the shining waters of Tir'n an-Og, then hold forth your measure of loving-wisdom that the thirsty beings of the world, fish and sea, bird and sky, beast and land, man and flame, might drink and be healed, might drink and in drinking, find their own sacred way to Tir'n an-Og."

Then, I looked in wonder, as I traveled inside myself, to my deepest love, bourne by my desire for perfection which was no longer my master, and so journeyed to Tir''n an-Og, and there in the land of the ever-loving, from the land where all beauty is preserved forever, I found the answer. I shouted triumphantly, my voice joined with countless others, "I am a lover of this earth! I WILL FIGHT!!! Not with violence, nor with anger, nor any kind of destruction, but I will fight nonetheless, with loving-wisdom, with compassion, with witness, with truth, with humility and a gentle smile." Then, the goddess looked up with a bright smile of rising joy on her face, and she asked me, "But what if you fall and fail?". I answered in many voices, "Then we shall get up again and try another way". And then she asked me, a mere mortal, "But what if nothing you do matters, and all you love is doomed?" And the children of humanity rebuked the goddess, who was testing them, speaking with one voice, with high authority, with such loving-wisdom, with such power, with such command, that the gods trembled with unbridled joy to see their children become adults in truth, as the assembled said, "Then still shall we serve balance and respect, still shall we serve loving-wisdom. For we have drunk of the waters which flow from the land of Tir'n an-Og, the land of the ever-loving, where all that is beautiful is preserved for ever. We have seen the mighty spiral, where all things pass in their right and perfect time, in their right and perfect way, and all that any of us can do, human or mortal, spirit or god, is live with integrity, for all beings are on a journey through the infinite spiral, all beings grow and learn, all beings in their time, in their way travel all paths, creating wisdom, and growth, and experience through our choices and thereby further enrich the vast web of existence that is the unknowable mystery, the divine one, the center of the sacred."

And I returned from this high place with a sense of awe, love, and determination that encouraged me to study Druidry with renewed passion, renewed commitment, I performed my spiritual practice every day, and I listened to the words of OBOD, I listened to the advice and inspiration of my guides and guardians. And so I grew, and felt the power of the call to serve the earth grow with each passing day, leading me to found a Community Earth Council, leading me to wear my Druidry openly at work, and place all my insignficant reputation as a man of honor and integrity behind my Druid identity.

Then, on Sunday, January 24th, I signed the Charter for Compassion, which I had felt moving through the world for some time. The day after I signed the Charter, I received a visitation from three Bright Powers that I had never heard of before, Aeon the bright power of divine loving-change, combined with Adjudicas, the bright power of of logic, philosophy, and true Justice, combined with Shaefa, the bright power of transitions and gateways. The three combined offered me a gift, and it was not a comfortable gift, but I accepted it anyways, for I knew it would be well worth any discomfort it brought me. This gift was an opportunity, an opportunity to test myself and face my very deepest terror, and so find my power. Such gifts are never comfortable, nor should they be.

Four days later, the opportunity manifested itself. Now, I must ask your forgiveness for the next part of this tale, to tell it properly I must utter words of desecration, which I would never do unless there was high need.

I went to work on Friday, January 29th. On the way to work, I passed a local High School, Gunn High School, Across the street from the High School, a crowd of protesters were waving signs labeled "God hates Fags" and "God hates Obama". I shut down, entered a kind of shocked state. I thought about stopping, about passing out the Charter for Compassion to everyone and reading it in one voice, about joining the counter-protesters, but something stayed my hand. Woodenly, I drove my car to work, in a state of unreality.

As I parked my car at work, I entered into the Druid's Prayer, living every line of it for the next few minutes.

O Divine Mystery, Grant me thy Protection,
I did not feel sickened or poison, because I had remembered at the last minute that morning to put up my spiritual protection field, blessed to protect me from that which is not intended for me, and for my aura to be blessed with deep peace and tranquility of water, stability and grounding of earth, and the fresh openness of air. It is because of this protection that I was not affected directly by the poison of their energy. It was a lesson for me that I must see myself as a soldier on the battlefield, and a regular spiritual practice is as neccessary to me as a functioning, well-maintained weapon is for the soldier.
Because I was protected, I was strong.
And in Protection, Strength,
From that strong place, as I stepped out of my car, I saw a choice that really was no choice at all, for my strength allowed me space to be humble.
And in Strength, Humility,
My humility had given me understanding. I could fight fire with fire, or I could simply see them as sacred.
And in Humility, Understanding,
For my understanding provided me with high knowledge, that the most effective thing I could do was name them sacred.
And in Understanding, Knowledge,
It seemed so simple, so ineffective, but this knowledge was the knowledge of justice.
And in Knowledge, the Knowledge of Justice,
For the Knowledge of Justice is the knowledge of balance, and the inbalance was caused because the protesters had forgetten that they were loved, that they too were sacred.
And in the Knowledge of Justice, the love of it,
For with true Justice, the Justice of balance, comes love of this balance, and a desire to see it preserved, and as I longed to see the balance preserved, all my being was suffused with the great love of all existences.
And in the love of it, the love of all existences,
And so while in contact with the mighty love of all existences, I reached out into the earth, and up through the earth into the crowds of protesters, and said "You Are Sacred, You are Loved". All my body trembled violently, and it felt as though reality warped and shifted as I saw them waving their signs of hate, saw them as Sacred, as reflections of the divine mystery from which we all proceed. Again, I said "You Are Sacred, You are Loved". Once more, something twisted around me and I said yet again, "You Are Sacred, You are Loved". I do not know how many times I said this, but finally, I turned aside, and was still, and quiet, and now I was suffused with a mighty loving-gratitude for the bright powers and the Order, for the divine mystery from which we all proceed, that I should be so humbled and so honored to hold firm to what I hold dear in the face of such a hatred. Then, I became still, and quiet for a time.
And in the love of all existences, the love of the Divine Mystery.

As I completed my journey through the Druid's Prayer, I lay still and contemplated the beauty of the trees and bushes around me.

Then from deep inside me, from the very depths of my being arose a fury, white-hot and searing, and this fury was like unto a sword, a mighty blade of power. But this blade was not born of righteous fury alone, those who strive to be righteous would seize this blade and be seared to the very bone by it's flame, but righteousness was also a part of this fury, as the fury a mother feels when her innocent young are threatened is righteous, as the fury born of a gentle man of peace and love feels when they see young minds assaulted by hate is righteous, but this fury was meant for those who strive to be humble, for those who strive to be meek, for those who strive to be loving, for those who strive to be gentle. None but they could wield it safely. For the strength of this blade is not in destruction or action born of uncontrolled rage which comes easily with little effort, but in a mighty love that is limitless and takes great dedication and effort. Any who try to wield this power in the name of destruction would be shattered utterly. The protesters were proof of that, for they had wielded this power unwisely, and were so shattered as a result that they were telling children that God, the source of limitless love, hated the works of her own hand.

And even as this rage was moving through me, I snapped a twig off of a grape arbor as I was walking by it in the height of my righteous fury, and saw how the righteousness in myself strove to master my fury, to bend it to destruction, but I would not allow it, and my reaction was instinctive, I immediately placed the twig down with gentle care, and apologized for my unwise actions, that the righteousness in me had harmed another. And then I knew.. I knew that while righteousness burned in me, it was not my master. I had the power to choose, and I chose to deny my righteousness mastery, and instead use it to power a mighty love.

I was ready to test myself, to see if I truly strived to be humble, if I truly strived to be meek, if I truly strived to be loving, if I truly strived to be gentle, and so I reached forth and seized this blade and pointed it to the heavens, and the searing fire ran up and down my body, and I was not burned, and a voice that was many voices as one issued forth from the center of my being, born of the loving-wisdom that flows from Tir'n an-Og, and yes, born also of the righteousness that was my gift, "Now, they come to the places of learning for the young, and they would spew desecration and hatred at our children?? They dare to corrupt the minds of the young in the presence of those of us who have seen the limitless love that flows from Tir'n an-Og?" I SCREAMED, loud and heard the shout echo building to building. Then, I screamed out this phrase, "NO MORE!!!", "NO MORE will those who strive to be meek and humble stand by as those who strive to be righteous destroy all in their path. NO MORE will those who strive to be meek and humble endure the tramplings and trumpetings and false poison spewed forth by those who strive to be righteous, with no more care for the destruction caused by their righteousness than they would feel for a swatted fly. NO MORE will those who strive to be meek and humble endure their children to be poisoned with hatreds of the vilest sort. NO MORE will those who strive to be meek and loving stand by and allow the actions of those who strive to be righteous to destroy this home our earth with hatred, disrespect and poison. NO MORE!!!" This cry transformed the fury of this burning blade into a powerful determination, a striving to deny the mastery of righteousness, a striving to deny righteousness mastery over myself, a striving to deny righteousness mastery over this world. As the awesome, flaring, brilliant blade of humble, meek, righteous fury faded as quickly as it had come, it's purpose finished, I felt a weird and potent, humbling, awesome strength, determination, a certainty and a surety, an alignment that opened a gateway which I stepped through without any hesitation, and so was changed again.

I saw after I had stepped through the gateway, how the qualities that I most despised about myself, that I had spent my entire life denying, how in the end they were an integral part of the key to this gateway. All my life I have denied my righteousness, I have denied my drive for perfection, blaming them for all the suffering of my life, and this denial only gave them terrible mastery over my life. Instead, they are mighty gifts, and seeing them as such denies them mastery over my life. How humbling, and how fitting that they should be the key which unlocks this particular gateway on the journey to find my bliss.

As I stepped through this gateway, I saw with great clarity a vision. I will not share this vision here, it must be kept close to my heart and my dearest friends for a while longer yet.

Now, you lovers, who feel the power of the call, who feel your spirits rise in response, go forth!! Hold forth your measure of loving-wisdom that the thirsty beings of humanity might drink, and in drinking find their way to the center of that which is sacred, awakening to their full potential. Hold forth your measure of loving-wisdom that the parched and cracked earth, the sickened seas, the fouled winds, wounded bird and beast and man alike, should be sanctified with love, sanctified with wisdom, and might awaken once more!

Let us bend our wills, bend our hearts, bend our minds to remind the humble, wounded places and peoples of the earth that we are all sacred!!! If you would see a miracle to surpass all human understanding, then remind each other, remind the land, remind all beings that they are sacred, starting with yourselves and your neighborhood! With acts of compassion, acts of healing, of sweat and blood, of commitment to serve. Let us each dethrone ourselves and work together for the betterment of all beings.

May the old magic come again in great strength and power, may the magic born of unquenchable love for the sky and sea, for the earth and fire, for beast, man and tree ride once more to flow across the Earth and remind us of the true meaning of wonder!

And know this for truth: if enough of us should drink and share of these waters, if enough beings should find our way to Tir'na N-Og, the land of the ever-loving, the land where all beauty is preserved forever, the lands which proceed from the heart of the divine mystery, then we shall turn one of the greatest catastrophes our world has ever faced into one of the greatest miracles our world has ever experienced, as we awaken the conciousness of humanity, as we remind the wounded places of the earth itself how sacred and beautiful she is.

I ask that the work of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids be blessed, I ask that the Order's hand be strengthened in these days of need, I ask that the Order send forth deep peace, limitless love, boundless wisdom, all woven together with mighty, unshakable strength to touch the hearts and minds of those who thirst to drink from the waters of Tir'n an-Og, that each be awakened to their full potential in the manner which is right and perfect for each one, that the conciousness of humanity should awaken to restore balance to itself and balance to this world.

I ask that the work of all beings of Wisdom be blessed, I ask that the hand of all beings of Wisdom be strengthened in these days of need, I ask that all beings of Wisdom send forth deep peace, limitless love, boundless wisdom, all woven together with mighty, unshakable strength to touch the hearts and minds of those who thirst for the divine mystery, that each be awakened to their full potential in the manner which is right and perfect for each one, that the conciousness of humanity should awaken to restore balance to itself and balance to this world.

And if you feel so called, come join us here as a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids. If you are already on a path, consider adding Druidry to your path, as many other spiritual seekers, Christian and Pagan alike have chosen to do. And if your paths do not lie with us, then follow the call of your heart to the paths that are right and perfect for you with deep commitment and true service. I say nothing against any other path, for each has it's unique and beautiful gifts to offer the world, all are needed, all are center. But I will speak with praise for the path of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids. For this path, and no other, gave me the strength to not only face my deepest fears and stumbling blocks, but also to find the mighty strength to answer hate with love, enabling me to join with the countless others from countless other paths working to raise a third pole, a third standard, raised to challenge those who strive to be Righteouss, to love those who are trapped in the prison of Duality. Join us! In any way you can, Join us and let us set them free, let us create a MIRACLE capable of utterly shattering the prison chains of duality, let us keep the river of life flowing for a while yet!!!!!!!

Aftermath

2010-02-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

The effects of the Aftermath of my discovery of self, of the encounter with the protesters, has truly changed my life. The following week I spent facing the dragons in my being, the fear that righteousness would master me, and a surprising new fear I did not expect. When I was a small child, vivacious, hyper, loving, my various step-fathers beat me quite severely. This created the seed of a terrible fear, a fear that if I allow myself to be loving and gentle, terrible punishment will come my way. It is in fact a vicious lie, and it took me 34 years to realize how subtle and far-reaching was the influence of this lie. Now, it is exposed for what it is, and my being is drastically changed.

As I adapt to the profound changes that are occurring within me, physical, mental, and spiritual, I will not be starting any new ventures, or being terrible active with the Blog here. In about 1-3 months, I believe I will be ready to explore this new territory on the other side of the gateway I passed through. Until then, I am like a butterfly newly emerged from the chyrsallis. I am vulnerable, my new being not yet "hardened". Until then, I must lay low and adjust.

Blessings of peace and joy be unto you all. May all beings prosper in the manner which is right and perfect for each one.

-JPR

An incredible discovery of self

2010-02-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

I went to work last Friday. On the way to work, I passed a local High School, Gunn High School, Across the street from the High School, a crowd of protesters were waving signs labeled "God hates Fags" and "God hates Obama". I shut down, entered a kind of shocked state. I thought about stopping, about passing out the Charter for Compassion to everyone and reading it in one voice, about joining the counter-protesters, but something stayed my hand. Woodenly, I drove my car to work, in a state of unreality.

However, I did not feel sickened or poison, because I had remembered at the last minute that morning to put up my spiritual protection field, blessed to protect me from that which is not intended for me, and for my aura to be blessed with deep peace and tranquility of water, stability and grounding of earth, and the fresh openness of air. It is because of this protection I believe, that I was not affected directly by the poison of their energy. It is a lesson for me that I must see myself as a soldier on the battlefield, and a regular spiritual practice is as neccessary to me as a functioning, well-maintained weapon is for the soldier.

Because I was protected, I was strong. From that strong place, as I stepped out of my car, I saw a choice that really was no choice at all, for my strength allowed me space to be humble, and my humility had given me understanding. I could fight fire with fire, or I could simply see them as sacred. For my understanding provided me with high knowledge, that the most effective thing I could do was name them sacred. It seemed so simple, so ineffective, but this knowledge was the knowledge of justice, of balance, and the inbalance was caused by forgetting that they were loved, that they were sacred.
For with true Justice, the Justice of balance, comes love of this balance, and a desire to see it preserved, and as I longed to see the balance preserved, all my being was suffused with the great love of all existences, and so I reached out into the earth, and up through the earth into the crowds of protesters, and said "You Are Sacred". All my body trembled violently, and it felt as though reality warped and shifted as I saw them waving their signs of hate, saw them as Sacred, as reflections of the divine mystery from which we all proceed. Again, I said "You Are Sacred". Once more, something twisted around me and I said yet again, "You Are Sacred". I do not know how many times I said this, but finally, I turned aside, and was still, and quiet, and now I was suffused with a mighty loving-gratitude for the bright powers and the Order, for the divine mystery from which we all proceed, that I should be so humbled and so honored to hold firm to what I hold dear in the face of such a hatred. Then, I became still, and quiet for a time.

Then, from deep inside me, from the very depths of my being arose a fury, white-hot and searing, and this fury was like unto a sword, a mighty blade of power. But this blade was not born of righteous fury alone, those who strive to be righteous would seize this blade and be seared to the very bone by it's flame, but righteousness was also a part of this fury, as the fury a mother feels when her innocent young are threatened is righteous, as the fury born of a gentle man of peace and love feels when they see young minds assaulted by hate is righteous, but this fury was meant for those who strive to be humble, for those who strive to be meek, for those who strive to be loving, for those who strive to be gentle. None but they could wield it safely. For the strength of this blade is not in destruction or action born of uncontrolled rage which comes easily with little effort, but in a mighty love that is limitless and takes great dedication and effort. Any who try to wield this power in the name of destruction would be shattered utterly.

And even as this rage was moving through me, I snapped a twig off of a grape arbor as I was walking by it in the height of my righteous fury, and saw how the righteousness in myself strove to master my fury, to bend it to destruction, but I would not allow it, and my reaction was instinctive, I immediately placed the twig down with gentle care, and apologized for my unwise actions, that the righteousness in me had harmed another. And then I knew.. I knew that while righteousness burned in me, it was not my master. I had the power to choose, and I chose to deny my righteousness mastery, and instead use it to power a mighty love.

I was ready to test myself, to see if I truly strived to be humble, if I truly strived to be meek, if I truly strived to be loving, if I truly strived to be gentle, and so I reached forth and seized this blade and pointed it to the heavens, and the searing fire ran up and down my body, and I was not burned, and a voice that was many voices as one issued forth from the center of my being, born of the love that flows from the divine mystery itself, and yes, born also of the righteousness that was my gift, "Now, they come to the places of learning for the young, and they would spew desecration and hatred at our children?? They dare to corrupt the minds of the young in the presence of those of us who have seen the limitless love that flows from the divine mystery?" I SCREAMED, loud and heard the shout echo building to building. Then, I screamed out this phrase, "NO MORE!!!", "NO MORE will those who strive to be meek and humble stand by as those who strive to be righteous destroy all in their path. NO MORE will those who strive to be meek and humble endure the tramplings and trumpetings and false poison spewed forth by those who strive to be righteous, with no more care for the destruction caused by their righteousness than they would feel for a swatted fly. NO MORE will those who strive to be meek and humble endure their children to be poisoned with hatreds of the vilest sort. NO MORE will those who strive to be meek and loving stand by and allow the actions of those who strive to be righteous to destroy this home our earth with hatred, disrespect and poison. NO MORE!!!" This cry transformed the fury of this burning blade into a powerful determination to deny the mastery of righteousness, to deny righteousness mastery over myself, to deny righteousness mastery over this world. As the awesome, flaring, brilliant blade of humble, meek, righteous fury faded as quickly as it had come, it's purpose finished, I felt a weird and potent, humbling, awesome strength, determination, a certainty and a surety, an alignment that opened a doorway which I stepped through without any hesitation, and so was changed again, As I stepped through this gateway, I saw with great clarity a vision, of my heart's desire, of my bliss. I will not share this vision here, it must be kept close to my heart and my dearest friends.

And I also saw, how the qualities that I most despised about myself, that I had spent my entire life denying, how in the end they were an integral part of the key to this gateway. All my life I have denied my righteousness, I have denied my drive for perfection, blaming them for all the suffering of my life, and this denial only gave them terrible mastery over my life. Instead, they are mighty gifts, and seeing them as such denies them mastery over my life. How humbling, and how fitting that they should be the key which unlocks this particular gateway on the journey to find my bliss, my heart's desire.

Remind the Earth and her people that We are sacred

2010-01-27T10:04:00.000-08:00

From the spiritual work I've done on my first trip came this insight:

Go, go to the humble places of the earth, go to where the Mother's scars are deepest, go to where she is most wounded, then bend down, and remind the blackened, tortured wounded places of the earth that they are sacred! Remind her with your sweat and blood, by cleansing the trash from her surface, by sowing seeds of tree and flower, be her lover! Be the nurse that goes to the wounded burn victim and kisses them where the char is thickest.

What happens when awakened beings go forth across the world and love the Mother where her wounds are worst?

What happens when awakened beings go forth across the world and remind the earth beneath the ghettos of the inner cities that it is sacred?

What happens when awakened beings go forth across the land and remind the barren hillsides scarred by fire and clear-cutting that it is holy?

What happens when awakened beings go forth into communities, cities, towns that are filled with despair, devoid of hope, and remind the land, the earth, the homes and businesses, the very people themselves that they are loved?

That is part of my journey, and these are the questions that I am finding on this journey. And even as I write this, I begin to see the answer in the very questions I ask. This is happening, and what is happening in my life, my own personal journey is the result. The charter for compassion is the result. The community earth councils are the result. And so let us go forth and accelerate the process! Let us bend our wills, bend our hearts, bend our minds to remind the humble, wounded places and peoples of the earth that we are all sacred!!! If you would see a miracle to surpass all human understanding, then remind each other, remind the land, remind all beings that they are sacred, starting with yourselves and your neighborhood! With acts of compassion, acts of healing, of sweat and blood, of commitment to serve. Let us each dethrone ourselves and work together for the betterment of all beings.

May the old magic come again, may the magic born of unquenchable love for the sky and sea, for the earth and fire, for beast and tree ride once more to flow across the Earth and remind us of the true meaning of wonder!

The Charter for Universal Respect

2010-01-24T07:30:00.000-08:00

"We acknowledge that many institutions of modern humanity see other existences as having less innate worth than themselves.

We acknowledge this attitude to be destructive to all existences, humanity included, as evidenced by the current social chaos, suffering, and environmental devastation of our world.

We accept that until these institutions change, we walk a path that leads only to destruction for humanity and countless other existences.

We accept responsibility for the destructive role played by our own lifestyle choices, without blame, without judgement.

We acknowledge our desire to live with integrity, we desire that our actions should align with our thoughts and words.

Therefore, we choose to join our efforts with one another to take positive, constructive action on every level of our lives.

We choose to shift the actions, thoughts, and words of our civilization and our personal lives towards an integrity founded on respect for all existences.

We acknowledge that such a foundation is necessary in order to restore the balance to our world."

The above charter was inspired by my earlier "Loving-Wisdom Affirmation" from an earlier posting to this Blog, by the Druid's Prayer and of course, by the Charter for Compassion.

The world is ready for more charters and affirmations such as these. Does this one speak to you?

Connecting with the Earth

2010-01-23T18:03:00.001-08:00

So far, I've posted an eclectic collection of ideas and wisdom pieces. Now, my journey to Procyon is taking me in a new direction. My wisdom tells me that it is time for the next stage of my journey. Not so much a time for logic and reason, discourse and philosophy, but rather a time to cultivate peace, tranquility, and the sense of the sacred.

All beings are sacred.

What does this mean? I think it's time to explore that.

How?

By experiencing the earth of my home with a silent mind, open eyes, open ears, and open heart.
Today, I walked in a dog park next to Shoreline Ampitheatre.

Nothing special, not(so far as I know) an ancient sacred site. What did I find?
I parked my electric car, and stepped outside. As I walked along, I saw a verge of grass next to the curb. Nothing spectacular ... until I looked closer, bending down to pick up some litter, until I bent down and saw a million rivulets of water running between the blades of grass, until I saw the dandelions and the sticker bushes intertwine with one another, until I saw the feathers dangling in the weeds, blowing in the breeze, signs of the seagulls that must wade through this grassy verge searching for food, until you see it as it's own little world, it's own little branch of the tree of life, moving, growing, living, sacred.

Then I crossed the street, having picked up the seagull feather to remind me that if you look closely enough, you will find the hidden secrets, the hidden stories that the casual observer will never know. As I crossed, I saw a Palo Alto Sugar Gum tree. Mind and heart open, I touched the tree, feeling my sense of the sacred connect with the tree, and knew that it too was sacred, it was a young tree, and I could feel the sense of exuberance and curious wonder from the tree at my presence. I meandered slowly back to my car, having touched a pine tree and a redwood tree as well, but the moment had passed, and it was time to return home.

Everything is sacred.

May all beings be blessed, that all should prosper in the manner right and perfect for each one.

Language and Reality - The consequences of violence

2010-01-16T13:54:00.001-08:00

I read a book last Autumn called "The Door into Ocean". This book was really amazing, I won't spoil the plot, but there are two races, Sharers and Valans. Sharers have a language that is very different from the languages we have. In English, when we speak, the form is noun-action-subject, for example, "I hit you" or "I love you". This implies that the noun is affecting the subject in a one way relationship. For example, if you hear the words "Dave hit Bob", one naturally thinks that Bob has suffered, has been done an injury by Dave. But what about the affect of hitting Bob on Dave? It is totally absent from the sentence, apparently there are no consequences to hitting Bob. In the sharer tongue, the sentence would translate as "Dave shares violence with Bob", to share something means to jointly experience a thing, where each participant is affected by the experience, and if it is a negative experience, there is no concept of one being negatively affecting another without themselves being negatively affected. The language itself reinforces that natural truth that we suffer the consequences of how we share our being with the world. It is not one way. To a sharer, the sentence "Dave shares violence with Bob" is something only an insane person would do, why would on earth would I want to do violence to myself?

Stop, every now and then, and think about what you are doing and what are you saying, and see if you can spot this in action. In truth, all that we do to others, we do to ourselves. Know that for truth, and never hide from that. If you believe that violence is the only answer for a particular situation, then do what you believe you must without hesitation, but know this for truth: no matter the cause, no matter how noble or good, what you do to others, that you do to yourself, and if you do violence and do not accept the consequences to your self and to the other with integrity, then you do an even deeper violence to your ability to sense the divine from which we all proceed.

May all beings be blessed, My loving-wisdom touch the hearts and minds of those who thirst, that they should taste of these waters, and be awakened to their full potential.

Manifestion - Community Earth Councils

2010-01-15T06:14:00.001-08:00

Peace,

I'd like to invite you to learn about a new initiative called Community Earth Councils. Groups of elders (50+) and youngers (16-28) (and everyone in between!!) meet to learn about each other and what we can do to make a the earth a kinder, greener place. The groups are about building community, mentorship, taking action and service, but first we get to know each other and appreciate the gifts that each age group has to offer. I'd love you to join me in forming a new Earth Council. If you aren't in my local area, consider starting one in your area! Now is a good time for wise people who value respect to work together to create positive change, and to support our youth with the wisdom of experience, they are on fire to be of service to this planet.
First of all, it's all just getting started, and there aren't any councils in our area yet, so I signed up to start one. If you are interested in joining, go to the website http://www.earthcouncils.org/ and sign up. That's really all there is to it. There are some wonderful resources and a budding forum on the website, and as I understand it the service they provide is to connect people together who sign up from the same area. But there is no need to wait for them to connect us up if we already know we want to be in the same council. What we do at the meetings is entirely up to us.

So here is my proposal:

1) Everyone who is interested, sign up at your convenience.

2) I'm thinking to hold the first organizing meeting the last weekend in February, at my home.

3) The theme of these councils is essentially to connect elders and youth and support each other in positive action to address the environmental crisis the world faces.

4) Everyone come with your ideas! Ideas for collaboration, for volunteer service, ideas for political activism, all ideas are welcome

What I plan to bring/present:
- Additional resources filled with ways to reduce and own our impact to add to our own CEC library and make them available for people in our CEC to use.
- An outline of the idea I presented before, where we devote some portion of our monthly meeting to supporting each other in making the simple changes in our own habits and lifestyles to reduce our personal impacts.
We all know that if others whom we respect hold us accountable in a gentle, supportive, positive fashion, simple changes are even that much easier and rewarding.

The thrust of the idea is that each month, each participant discusses their experience of the prior month, did they accomplish their goal, and if not, what did we learn, what can we try next. The idea is that this is a very supportive process, no judgement, no pressure, just gentle support.
Then, each participant will state what simple small change they will commit to making for the upcoming month. To get ideas, we will have resources available, and of course the
experience of the other members will be available to help us come up with ideas.

So, to summarize:

1) Are you interested?

2) If yes, how does Saturday, February 27th, at 3:00pm sound at my place for our first meeting?

Please, feel free to forward this to all of your friends you think would be interested.

I am working on creating at least a temporary web presence, probably a simple blog, to organize information, ideas, resources that come to us prior to the meeting. Once I've done that, I'll send that to whomever responded with interest, as well as the address to my place, and the final date once it is settled.

Peace, may your week bring many accomplishments and much joy,
-JPR aka John-Paul Riley

--
"Three things which strengthen a person to stand against the whole world: Seeing the quality and beauty of truth; seeing beneath the cloak of falsehood; and seeing to what ends truth and falsehood come." - A Triad, or wisdom-saying, from the storehouse of Druidic wisdom.

Haiti Disaster Relief

2010-01-15T05:01:00.001-08:00

Here is a good organization to support:

http://www.artistsforpeaceandjustice.com/

From this disaster, may the hearts and minds of humanity be blessed with compassion, that they should be open to the deep loving-wisdom of the heart, and find within themselves the power to live with integrity, and manifest their compassion with loving deeds of support, of care, of healing, of growth, of rebuilding, of saving, of living for the citizens of Haiti. Blessed be.

Something just went "click"

2010-01-14T06:45:00.000-08:00

As some of you may know, I've been struggling with what to call this energy, this loving-wisdom that promotes respect for all existences, which I've been calling Procyon. But I've known that wasn't quite the right word for it. I believe that Procyon was just a guide, to nudge me, to get me thinking about this concept. And then it hit me, it has been staring me in the face. Loving-Wisdom!! That is it, that is the concept. That is the name. I've never used the term before a few months ago, until around the beginning of December my mind was reaching, struggling to describe the energy I felt moving across the earth, and the term loving-wisdom came unbidden to my mind. The combination of wisdom and love with strength is loving-wisdom. It is this combination of wisdom and love, with strength that naturally leads to ever expand our circles of respect with love. It seemed so natural, familiar, that I while I naturally used it to describe the energy, it never occurred to me that that was it. I was searching for something exotic, strange, and there it was, the simple, the familiar, in front of my face the whole time. How perfect, how beautiful, thank you universe for the blessing of this lesson in humility.

I did a search on loving-wisdom, and found references of it related to Tibetan Buddhism.

May Loving-Wisdom flow across the Earth
May Loving-Wisdom shine from within
May Loving-Wisdom shine from without
May all existences prosper in the manner which is right and perfect for each one

How to view the world with gentle discernment

2010-01-13T05:28:00.000-08:00

Choosing our stance in this world is not easy, there is a lot of apparently conflicting information and influences jostling us about. So, it is time to get back to the basics! And the basic is respect.

Each one of us has a circle in our lives, this circle contains within it all that which we respect. For some, this circle is very large, for others this circle is small.

When listening to the words of a speaker, a politician, a religious leader, it can be helpful to examine the circle of respect of the one who speaks. If a person has a broad circle of respect and acts with integrity, their words, their attitudes, the way they are in the world all proceed from this respect. If a person has a small circle of respect and acts with integrity, the same is true, the way they are in the world is a reflection of what they respect, or lack of it.

Just to give a concrete example, say a politician or tv personality makes this statement: "We need to develop more oil reserves." or "Investing government money in energy efficiency is a waste of time." (Both positions I hear frequently, or variants of them) The first thing I ask myself is where is the respect? What are they serving, what are they respecting? Now, we need to be very careful here not to make assumptions or to judge actions or attitudes, because we are all each one on our journey, and there can be no comparing our individual journeys. But what we can do is apply discernment, which is the ability to decide whether to invite a thing in our lives our not. My discernment tells me that for the first statement, the speaker may respect the drive for human expansion, but nothing in that statement tells me that the speaker respects the natural lands from which the oil will be extracted, nothing leads me to believe the speaker respects the problem carbon pollution is creating for our world.

Now, that does not mean he doesn't respect these things, and after weighing all things in balance, would still support that statement for his own reasons. It is our job to find out however, before we decide to invite his view into our lives. If we wish to listen to a public figure deeply, it behooves us to know what they respect.

Use this type of discernment to tune in that which you need to hear, that which proceeds from a foundation of respect, and to tune out that which does not come from a balanced, respectful foundation.

I would like to close by sharing one of the most beautiful, empowering, personally significant triads (Druidic wisdom-sayings) that I have ever heard:

"Three things which strengthen a person to stand against the whole world: Seeing the quality and beauty of truth; seeing beneath the cloak of falsehood; and seeing to what ends truth and falsehood come."

May all beings be blessed, may each one seek the loving-wisdom within, that they may see the loving-wisdom shining from without.

Syncronicity and Druidry

2010-01-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

A fascinating case of syncronicity(where events from apparently unrelated sources re-enforce a theme or concept in one's life) happened today.

I have been away from my Bardic(The first grade of OBOD) studies for a few months, focusing on working with the very powerful experiences I had in November. In these experiences, I felt powerfully moved, my whole being engaged, yet one part of me observing and detached, as I worked with this incredibly loving, gentle, yet powerfully determined, wise energy. As I worked through this loving-wisdom energy, some powerful themes became apparent, a cry for balance, and a deep loving commitment to change, to embrace a path of respect, a deep sense that it was time for those among the wise all across the earth to rise up and begin a powerful witness of gentle, compassionate, determined change.

Now, several months later, I am taking up my studies again and the universe certainly had the lesson ready for me. The lesson I listened to today, Gwers 21, talks about how the lack of respect is the cause of all kinds of problems in the world, and that the major work of a Druid is positive action to correct this. I took away two deep lessons from this.

The first was, I chose the right and perfect path for me!
The second was, keep expressing my personal perspective and work with the Procyon theme, but never forget how powerful, gentle, and profound is the wealth of wisdom from the practitioners of OBOD, of which loving-wisdom is only one aspect.

Enjoy this other video from OBOD, entitled "The 7 gifts of Druidry".

The Plan to Manifest

2010-01-11T03:38:00.001-08:00

So, then the next big question is, how to get there? How to change? Well, it all comes down to the basics. Stay simple. We all know simple changes are achievable. What we need to do is commit to making a series of small, simple changes one at a time, at the pace that is right and perfect for us. What happens over time is that the small simple changes build up and create a momentum all it's own, empowering us to make bigger, deeper changes when the time is right.

Another simple truth that pertains here is accountability. We all know that if others whom we respect hold us accountable in a gentle, supportive, positive fashion, simple changes are even that much easier and rewarding.

So here is the plan:

1) Gather with like-minded people in a monthly meeting.

2) At the meeting, have each person state what they plan to accomplish by the next meeting, and whether or not they accomplished what they planned for this meeting.

3) Have a relaxed forum to brainstorm ideas, debate merits of various political movements, plan/coordinate collaborative actions.

That's it really. Now, to elaborate on those points.

The first question is how to gather like-minded people?

Word of mouth and email for certain. I'm thinking there needs to be a common affirmation, like:

"We acknowledge that many institutions of modern humanity no longer accord equal respect to existences other than themselves. We acknowledge this attitude to be ultimately destructive to self and other. We accept that until these institutions change, we walk a path that leads only to destruction for our civilization and for the eco-system of our world. We accept responsibility for the destructive consequences of our lifestyle choices, without blame, without judgement. We acknowledge our desire to live with integrity, that our actions should more fully align with our thoughts and words. Therefore, we choose to shift the foundation of our lives and of our civilization at the right and perfect pace, that this new foundation shall accord respect to all existences in thought, word, and action, in the manner which is right and perfect for each one."

Send out a message containing this affirmation, and a description of the plan, i.e, the monthly supportive meeting to implement this affirmation, by making small changes in our own lives, and creating a positive, constructive forum to support change.

The message should contain date, time, and location for a planning meeting.

To provide some structure to guide and direct the changes, let them fall in the following categories:

1) Positive education - Things we can do to positively educate others.
Write letters to the editor,support groups/organizations whose mission it is educated others.
2) Reduce impact - Things we can do to reduce our personal impact.
Use canvas bags, use mass transit, replace light bulbs, etc.
3) Own our impact - Things we can do to be aware of our impact.
Simplify our lives, spring cleaning, research where our water/power comes from, etc.
4) Collaborate with others - Things we can do to collaborate with others taking positive action. Volunteer work, attending these meetings, etc.

Do research, and find good material that gives practical advice for making simple changes and have it available for good ideas.

Loving-Wisdom in the Media

2010-01-09T04:06:00.000-08:00

One of the most amazing affirmations to me was seeing a film titled "Battle for Terra". It was an animated cartoon, straight to DVD release. But there is something extraordinary in this movie.

To summarize the plot (spoiler ahead!!!):
It is the far future, and humanity has destroyed the habitable planets of it's solar system and the battered survivors have embarked in a generation ship to another star with a terraformable world. The planet does not have enough oxygen in the atmosphere to sustain humans, but it could be terraformed with a device they brought with them, rapidly transforming the atmosphere and killing all native life. However, this world is inhabited already, by a peaceful, intelligent species that nearly destroyed itself in it's distant past. Their is a revolt on the human ship when they find it is inhabited. There is limited air on the ship, and it is slowly falling apart, with only months left. The general of the military takes control, and decides that drastic action is needed to save humanity, and it comes down to a choice between us and them, so there really is no question about what must be done, the inhabitants of this world must be sacrificed for humanity's survival. He launches an invasion of this world, attacking native settlements.

During the invasion, the protagonist (who is a pilot for a fighter craft) crashes on the world, and is rescued by one of the natives. They form a bond, and he sees enough of their culture to realize this specie's culture is founded on an ethos of peace, respect and balance.

He manages to escape back to his ship. The general launches the terraformer which lands on the surface, digs in, and begins transforming the atmosphere. The native species launches an attack, and during the battle, while the protagonist pilot is defending the terraformer from the native attack force, he is in a duel with one of their pilots, and he he sees the native who rescued him. Then he gets it ... right then he gets loving-wisdom, he understands it, he is offered his choice, and he chooses then and there, he disengages, and flies straight at the terraformer, and destroys it while the general looks on in disbelief and rage. In the ensuing explosion, the protagonist is killed. All looks doomed for humanity. But the elders of the natives, saw the sacrifice of this one human, standing against all his kind in their defense, and were moved to rescue the humans in space, housing them in vast domes on the world's surface where they could survive and adapt. The humans built a statue to honor the fallen pilot who chose not to commit xenocide, genocide, of an entire world's life-web, even if it meant the ending of our own species.

The film was incredibly awakening to me. I saw what it said very clearly, I saw the parallel with heart-wrenching clarity. This movie was real, there was no happy ending, there was only a hard choice, but also there was a clean start, a new hope, a new chance to live with integrity. The message was presented with such balance and reality that I could not gainsay it.

In his place, how many of us would have made that choice? How many people would see such a choice, and call it evil?

See this movie. If you are moved by this movie, if this movie fills you with bittersweet joy, if the pilot's sacrifice calls to your heart, then you understand what I mean when I am writing about high loving-wisdom.

Peace, and a blessing to you, that we should each one listen to the unique loving-wisdom of our deepest selves, and grow in the way which is right and perfect for each one.

A Calling - and an Affirmation inspired by loving-wisdom

2010-01-08T11:06:00.001-08:00

Some of us are blessed at times with clarity, some of us are at times offered an opportunity of a life-time, a chance to step forward and be more fully that which you are. I feel I have been offered such a chance. I asked this universe to grant me loving-wisdom, and in response the universe has taken my hand and shown me small step by small step, that if we all respond with a courageous, generous, gentle, open, free heart we can forge a way forward through the turmoil of our modern society, a way of integrity, a goal to strive for, small step by small step, small change by small change, building momentum and joining efforts with others on this path, that we should join in meekness and humility and shine our light on that which is true, and balanced, and sustainable, and respectful. There is a weird power when the humble and the meek, when the wise and loving step forth and say in one voice, with one heart, with one mind, "We Choose Change! We Choose Life! We Choose Respect! We Choose Love! We Choose to Grow! We Choose to Shift!" These times are ones of uncertainty and turmoil, and great unbalance. There are many voices crying, many voices shouting, screaming to be heard, each voice speaking of it's own private pain, of fear, of hemming in, of building walls, of severing connections. Now a new voice is rising, and shall rise higher, a voice to bring balance, a voice crying out "We Choose Change! We Choose Life! We Choose Respect! We Choose Love! We Choose to Grow! We Choose to Shift!" I choose to be one voice among many, many, many others speaking this truth. I choose to attempt this journey, and to share what comes of it, to witness the power of simple respect performed with intention to change the very foundation of my life. I choose to share my failures and successes, one by one, and to share the wisdom that comes through this process.

Here is the Affirmation that sings in my soul, an affirmation of a creed of high loving-wisdom, yet totally secular in form:

"I acknowledge that the institutions of modern humanity no longer accord equal respect to existences other than themselves. I acknowledge this attitude to be ultimately destructive to self and other. I accept that until these institutions change, we walk a path that leads only to destruction. I accept responsibility for the destructive consequences of my lifestyle choices, without blame, without judgement. I acknowledge my desire to live with integrity, I desire that my actions should align with my thoughts and words. I choose to
shift the foundation of my life at the pace that is right and perfect for me, that my new foundation shall accord respect to all existences in thought, word, and deed, in the manner which is right and perfect for each one. I choose to join my efforts with others, to shift the foundations of our civilization at the pace which is right and perfect for that moment, that our civilization's new foundation should accord respect to all existences in thought, word, and deed, in the manner which is right and perfect for each one."

One of my first reactions to reading this affirmation, was wow, man, this is a heavy trip. But then, I thought more deeply, more fully, and I realized, this affirmation is not a burden or a trip, but rather it sets me free, it empowers me to be the change that I want to see in this world, the change that resonates so powerfully within my spirit, within your spirit, within all our spirits. It is time for us to live affirmations such as these. It is time for us to stand up publicly and speak affirmations like this to the world, to bear witness to these affirmations by our deeds, by the manifestation of change in our lives. The power of our completed deeds in alignment with the words of our affirmation is extremely powerful and effective.

Peace, and a blessing, that each being should find the path to right and perfect fulfillment.

What is perfect?

2010-01-08T08:07:00.000-08:00

I am on this journey as a human like us all, with everything that entails. I am not perfect. Loving-Wisdom does not make us perfect. But, what does this word mean, perfect? I looked it up on dictionary.com out of curiosity just now, and found at the top of the list this definition: "conforming absolutely to the description or definition of an ideal type"

However, this conflicts with something we all know to be true. Change. What singular ideal type can there be in a universe that is constantly changing from one instant of time to the next? To my way of thinking, based on what experience has taught me about human nature, this a terribly dangerous concept. What happens if you think you have achieved perfection? A disastrous thing happens, you try to maintain that state of perfection, because there is nothing better, this is as good as it gets. It may feel wonderful for a while, but then something happens, something we should have expected. The universe changes. What once felt wonderful, what once felt perfect, begins to gradually lose it's appeal. The universe changes, and when we resist that change, we create a tension between our ego-mind and our soul-mind, that which comes from the divine mystery. This tension eats away at our integrity, it eats away at our ability to evaluate a situation from a truly integrated perspective, with spirit and mind in alignment, each aspect growing, contributing, and learning from the other.

I don't want to be perfect. I don't want to try to be perfect. I want to be humble, I want to be open, I want to be gentle, I want to learn, I want to grow. It is from my mistakes, from my failures as much as my successes, from which I learn humility, and in moments of humility does the deep wisdom of the heart speak to us, and show us where we need to go.

So don't expect perfection from loving-wisdom. Expect change. Expect encouragement, expect failures as well as success. Loving-wisdom leads us on a journey. Once we live for the journey, rather than the destination, we find that we are and were already perfect, all the time, every moment, in every way, every day.

Loving-Wisdom and the Road To Procyon

2010-01-07T18:10:00.000-08:00

Peace to all who read this, and a blessing as well, that all beings should prosper in the manner which is right and perfect for each one.

Each and every one of us walks a path through life, making our way,

bearing our burdens, sharing our blessings, struggling at some points, gliding past others, each one of us yearning to find guidance and a sense of the right direction to take, each of us making mistakes, learning from our mistakes, ultimately growing into more than we were, each of us being human. When I look at another person, I am sometimes able to see that struggle going on within them, to briefly glimpse for just a moment behind the mask, and I see within them the same strengths, the same weaknesses, the same human qualities that are within me. The truth of those moments reveal a special humble, beauty, as we see how their path is really no different from ours. What then, when I stare into the eyes of an animal and see a being on their path, happy some times, struggling others, just like me? What then, when I walk within a forest, and all around me I see the patterns of life repeated, life striving, changing, growing, each in it's own unique and special way striving to be more than it is, just like me? The love that flows through those moments is divine, sacred, one with the sacred love that flows through all the moments of wisdom, of peace, of sorrow, of loss. These moments are real, they are true. The divine light shines back, where ever we look to find it. All beings are truly divine, all beings are truly sacred.

If this is true, then I must also compare it with another, much harder truth. I must honestly, without judgement, without anger, without fear, but rather with compassion and love, look at the impact of my way of life on the web of life upon this world. I find the answer painful to accept, hard to reconcile with the first truth. The fundamental truth is that our modern society does not respect the life-web which sustains us all. This attitude is sending the life-web of our world to destruction. The fundamental truth is that I cannot avoid my own personal responsibility for the this lack of respect. The truth is that if I do not change my personal habits, when I die the web of life on this planet will be weaker because of my existence, it will be weaker because I did not take personal responsibility for the full impact of how I lived my life. How can I maintain my integrity as a being who sees the divine shine forth from the life-web that gave us birth, while my lifestyle choices threaten the very existence of that web?

And this is what I will explore in this Blog. This journey, from where I, we, you, are to a destination I call Procyon.

Procyon, a place where respect for all existences comes from the heart, from the soul, from the bone, to manifest in our lives with integrity. Not just respect in words or thoughts, but in deeds as well. This loving-wisdom is gaining power on this world we call Earth, urging us to change and transform. It has many names and many faces, but they are all one, you will know it by respect. Without respect, there is no loving-wisdom. Loving-wisdom always urges us to adopt a creed of universal respect for all existences. Loving-wisdom leads us to a choice, a high choice, a humble choice, a loving choice, a compassionate choice, and a hard choice. But a powerful choice, a choice that rings bells of highest wonder in the heart and soul. We can choose a path of respect for all life and our world. We can make this choice of our own free will! Without pressure, without coercion, we can make this choice. The power of such a choice, of many people of wisdom and love choosing a path of humility, of balance, of respect over a path of consumption and endless expansion will, and is already, sending shock waves of bright loving-wisdom through the consciousness of humanity. Now, I choose this path of witness with sincere intention, I choose to invite loving-wisdom to transform my life, and I choose to share our journey to Procyon, come what may, with all who read this, as we take it step by step.

Blessed be all beings, that all beings should prosper in the manner which is right and perfect for each one!