His great love of swords began awhile back, the exact month he was weaned.
He will need those stories.
I need those stories.
I recognize what a hero’s journey it is to unfold my potential, to open my heart, to truly become myself in this world- no less than Odysseus, Frodo Baggins or Harry Potter. It is true for all of us.
-Joseph Campbell
and a favorite line from Octavio Paz:
“No one behind, no one ahead.
The path the ancients cleared has closed.
And the other path, everyone’s path,
easy and wide, goes nowhere.
I am alone and find my way.”
“When I was growing up, I liked big questions: What is life all about? Why are we here? Eventually I learned that the key question involves the meaning seeded within each individual life.
I believe God – and to me “God” is just shorthand for the ineffable divine presence – has only one question for us at the end: “Did you become yourself?” We have a seeded self that begins to germinate at birth. Our true goal in life is to become that self.
There’s an African proverb: “When death finds you, may it find you alive.” Alive means living your own damn life, not the life that your parents wanted, or the life some cultural group or political party wanted, but the life that your own soul wants to live. That’s the way to evaluate whether you are an authentic person or not.”
“Alive means living your own damn life, not the life that your parents wanted, or the life some cultural group or political party wanted, but the life that your own soul wants to live. “
Oh, that is a good line.
That is hero’s work.
Sometimes it takes swords and light-sabers to live the life that the soul wants to live. Sometimes it simply takes the courage to say no. Or to say yes with your whole heart. Or to take a first step in acting on a dream.
And the dragons we battle? Again to Joseph Campbell:
“On the dragon there are many scales. Every one of them says “Thou Shalt.”
Kill the dragon “Thou Shalt.” When one has killed that dragon, one has become The Child.“
In my experience there are many scales on that dragon. Thankfully, they are wielding less and less influence in my life.
We are very excited for some embodied explorations around this theme in our “Discovering Your Genius” workshop in July. Some of these open questions we will explore are:
- What are my gifts to give to this world?
- Where does my “deep gladness meet the world’s need?”
- What inspires me?
- When does my genius shine through in life?
- How am I a unique torch bearer, like no other, in this world?
- What gifts do I want to give before I die?
It will be an enlivening weekend.
Please note we have changed the date from July 18th and 19th to July 11th and 12th.
We would love to explore your genius with you! You can register below. Space is limited to 12 participants.
Wishing you valiant steps on your unique path, 
living the life your soul wants you to live.
Carl
p.s.
Speaking of genius, part of the unique gift that Erin offers this world is through teaching. That includes supporting people people in learning how to bring more of an experience of gratitude and appreciation into their lives.
She is excited to be launching her first e- course and registration openstomorrow! (She’ll be sending a separate email tomorrow about the course. Don’t miss it!)
p.p.s. Please note that our Wednesday morning meditations will continue through May and will go on summer vacation starting in June.
p.p.p.s. I’m so looking forward to Tai Chi in the Park which begins on Monday. If you’d like to be on the waiting list in case of cancellation, please email me.
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