“When the student is ready…” But, How do you know the student is ready?

We have all heard the saying, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”  But, how does the teacher know when the student is ready?  I have been teaching for many years… decades.  One thing I have learned is that students often appear long before they are ready to be taught.  Thinking they are ready does not qualify them.  Neither does wanting to be taught.  Or, even begging to be taught.  ”The teacher appeared, so I must be ready!”  It doesn’t work that way.  Sadly.

I have had many students over the years, between my advanced martial arts, energy traininings, shamanism, and others.  They number in the thousands.  But, among all those students, very few have been serious.  Even fewer had what it takes to become masters.  As I’ve talked with other teachers, they reflect a similar sad experience.

When it come to shamansim, the statistics are even worse.  My feeling is that if a shaman has one or two students in a lifetime that become a true shaman, they are very fortunate.  Why is that the case, when many appear before the teacher?

When people ask me how to become a shaman, my usual reply is, “Why in the world would you ever want to be a shaman?”  Their response is predictable — they typically either looked mildly shocked, or they give a standard answer.  Neither portends success.  Occasionally, I will have a potential student that is able to engage me in a meaningful discussion about the merits of their interest and commitment, often accompanied by enthusiastic avowals of dedication and desire.  These may include declarations of having searched their whole life for me, or having sought exactly what I have available — if only I would consent to share it with them.   Sometimes, they are convincing and determined enough to get me to take them on as a student.  They last for varying periods of time, then drop away.

I recently had someone who fit that description enough to sometimes call their self my “student”, although we never held a class, started an apprenticeship, or had a student-teacher relationship.  I did allow this person to participate in some group discussions I had about shamanism, and I assisted the group in sharing some shamanic experiences.  I did do some shamanic healing work with that individual, as I did with others who were not considered “students”.   At one time I felt this person had what it takes to be a true shaman.  This individual is extremely bright and well-studied, is naturally talented in esoteric and spiritual skills, and is powerful with much personal energy.  All the makings of a good apprentice.  I believed this person might make it through.  I devoted my heart and soul into attempting to create an appropriate environment for this person, opening up my life in ways few people would do.  That was my commitment.  However, even with all that, the apprenticeship ended.  Actually, it never started.  Despite occasionally referring to me as the “teacher”, there was no effort to learn.  There was in fact no willingness to learn.  Any discussion within the group about normal student activities, such as study assignments and exercises, was met with either flat refusal, or well-crafted side-stepping.  The pretense of the student-teacher relationship finally ended ignominiously.

So, why did it end?  For the same reason all the others ended.  The reason it ends is the same reason there are so few true shamans.  There are plenty “weekend warrior” shamans.  You can go to a few seminars, learn some pop-spychology mingled with a little ritual and esoteric language, then get a certificate that declares you to be a shaman.  But, that does not make you a shaman.  Far from it.

Becoming a true shaman means separating yourself from the world in some very subtle, yet powerful ways.  The world may never know of your abilities — you do not need to become a long-bearded, anti-social hermit that everyone avoids.  Very few people would ever guess I am a shaman.  I am an executive, active in the community, known as a leader in my state and region, even nationally in some professional circles.  Most would consider me fairly conservative, yet open-minded and tolerant.

The ways that you separate yourself are in your abilities, of course.  More significant, though, is your perspective.  You see things the average person never knows exists, much less comprehends.  A shaman truly “walks between the worlds”.  This means he or she sees things that are unknown and unseen by others.  Not just in mental images and visions, although that happens, too.  But, by going to different realms, different realities, even different universes.  The visions and understandings one gains in this manner is far beyond anything the “normal” person fathoms.

Because it is not “normal”, it is by definition “abnormal”.  In other words, the average person thinks what a shaman describes is literally crazy.  That is part of the reason few shaman ever “hang out their shingle” and become known publicly.  It is also the reason shaman of old were often shunned by their society.  They were viewed as “different”, and perhaps “crazy”.  They were often feared because of that and because of their power.  At the same time they were respected.  They were generally alone, and sometimes lonely.

A shaman is constantly on a path of eternal growth and personal evolution.  This growth is generally done in quantum leaps, not steady progress.  At best that is unsettling to most people.  Most would consider it totally unacceptable, because it is too disruptive of a “normal” life.  There is no security on a shaman’s path.  Growth means stepping out of security, comfort, and normalcy.  It is especially true of the kind of growth a shaman experiences.  That lack of security is deeply disturbing to most people.

So, we have several factors that cause students to jump overboard in desperation:

* There is a domain of experiences that, while very romantic and exotic sounding, are intrinsically disturbing to the average person.

* There is a distinct lack of normalcy that is difficult to comprehend or explain in rational ways.  (Because it is irrational…)

* The growth that is required and is experienced is vertical, not horizontal.  Those vertical leaps are truly quantum leaps in growth and are unlike anything most people experience.  This can be unnerving.

* There is a clearly different perspective on life that comes from these experiences and exponential growth that are beyond the comprehension of anyone not having had the experiences.  The only way for a “normal” person to relate to it, then, is to label it with words such as “unreasonable”, “unrealistic”, “irresponsible”, etc.  (This sounds patronizing and self-serving, but it really is not.  A person who sits on a mountain top has a very different understanding of the land than one who has never left his community in the lowlands.  Likewise, rising to these other realms forever changes one’s understanding of how the universe is structured and how it works.  But, you can’t tell others…)

* There is no security.  Much of the life of a shaman is spent in what we call “The Alchemical Cauldron”.  This is the realm of all possibility.  It is also uncomfortable, although it becomes very familiar to a shaman.

* It is demanding.  You are asked to “jump off cliffs and fly”.  That is too much for many people, as it was for this person.  They liken it to blind obedience, rather than to willing empowerment.  Those are very different, but, understandably difficult to distinguish if you haven’t yet learned how to fly.

* It is hard work.  Dirty, sweaty, sometimes scary, often disturbing, extremely self-revealing and never easy.

So, how do you tell when the student is ready?

I have some of the answer for that.  And, based upon recent experiences, the bar has been raised significantly.  I’m leaning more toward the idea that a prospective student will have to work very hard to prove they can handle it, before I will take them on as an apprentice or a student.  I have ways of screening.  They will not be easy.  In fact, it will not surprise me if I only have one person that truly makes it to a shaman before I leave this realm.

Will it be you?  If you think it might, I must ask, again, the question: “Why in the world would you ever want to be a shaman?”  If you think you have the answer….

What if love isn’t the goal?

Part of my training as a shaman and as a martial artist was to turn things upside down. Literally and figuratively. This has been a valuable practice that leads to many new insights and to answers that I might miss otherwise.

The material for a Shaman’s Journey comes from the experiences in their life – “your path lies before you.” So, recent events in my life have caused me to look carefully at the meaning and value of love, and the place it has in our spiritual growth. Here are some of my thoughts:

Love is greatly prized by society. It is the dream and hope for relationships. It is the cultural icon of the highest of human ideals and capabilities. It is even at the core, the “heart”, of most religions (next to its dark twin, fear). Is it any wonder then, that we naturally place it on the highest pedestal we can find. Is it not the greatest objective that we can experience, and for which we have been created?

Or, is it?

What if Love is the tool, that takes us to greater spiritual realms, What if Love is the vehicle to be used on our journey to Divinity, rather than the objective of our quest? Could it be that it was planted within our breast as a seed of great potential to motivate us to become something greater than we are as mere mortal humans? And, what if that quest leads us to something that is even greater than Love, something so powerful and so far removed from our sociality now that we cannot even comprehend it?…yet.

For many, the idea of perceiving anything beyond the physical senses is absurd. This is understandable. The five senses are so profound, so filled with information that demands our attention, there is little left to perceive the extremely subtle information that comes from other senses. It takes a deliberate intention to become aware of the other senses. Yet, we all experience the effects of these other senses.

One example is “body language”, the colloquialism that describes meta-communication. There is information in our communication that cannot be quantified in the words used. It is typically below the conscious level, and is hidden in components such as tonality, body positioning, and facial expressions. That is why it is easier to misinterpret written communication than telephonic, and audio rather than visual. The data stream of additional information, the meta-communication, is much greater as you add more senses. But, they are increasing subtle and more difficult to consciously perceive.

What if Love is like our five senses? Perhaps, it is so powerful in its emotional impact that it overwhelms the information that is available simultaneously – the “meta” information. Since no one is reminding us to look for something even more subtle that lies beyond Love, we may have lost the cultural memory that there is something more fulfilling and beautiful than the divinity of Love.

What if we were to become aware of that special something beyond Love, the “meta-Love”? How would that change our relationships? What impacts would that have upon society? How would religions have to change? But, most important, how would our lives be affected?

Right now, if you are like most people, you probably have some ideal built around love. You probably hope to experience this “perfect” love, and believe it will fulfill you and be the epitome of life’s experience. You might seek this in relationship with another – the “love of my life”, or your soul-mate. You might expect to find it in a relationship with your God, through a life of devotion, adoration and service. You may be among the small group that combines these two into a practice such as Tantra, where your partner becomes an expression of the Divine.

Some will find it through acts of love for others, perhaps your family, or for a group of people whom you might consider less fortunate. Sometimes this will be an expression of the person’s love for God. Mother Teresa is a modern example.

All of these are wonderful demonstrations of opening ourselves to transcendent experiences. They take us beyond ourselves. As long as there is nothing inherently pathological in the contextual relationship, they can lead to greater maturity. They can also provide deep feelings of joy, peace and profound fulfillment. Love soothes the savage beast within, it heals pain and suffering, and it spreads a spiritual oil on the stormy waters of mortal experience. Why would anyone question the virtue of Love?

Because the question arises, when you turn it upside down, “Does it limit growth?” Love does wonderful things. It is truly transformational. But, when we have the perception that Love is the end goal, that it is the most divine of all attributes attainable to mortals, and when the feelings of Love are so profound that we stop seeking, has it become a wall to further growth and understanding?

What if Love exists to help us get to a stage of growth where we can grasp a greater understanding of our true nature, and where we can attain greater qualities of Divinity? What if we have misappropriated the true purpose of love and turned it from a vehicle to an objective? What if a small shift of paradigms allows us to use love to propel us to a level of growth and consciousness where we can behold and experience vast vistas of Divinity that would not be available to us otherwise? What if this releases Divine power within us that cannot be found if we stop because Love is so utterly fulfilling?

Is there something beyond Love?

Where am I going?

Do you ask yourself this question?  You should!

I ask it frequently, and have others ask it of me.  Recently, I received an inquiry as to my plans for the future.  You can read about it here.  The blog will tell you about my plans.  

If this interests you, let me know.  I can tell you this — it will be a wild, rewarding ride.  If you want to participate in the training, it will be intense, demanding, and immensely satisfying and empowering.

45-day Challenge

I have joined Bob Doyle’s 45-day Boundless Living Challenge. The rules are solid and integrous. It is based upon the concept of declaring your dream — something you have wanted to do, but didn’t for some reason — then pursuing it vigorously for 45 days. You are encouraged to identify the blockages you have had and then work toward dispelling them. The community is amazingly helpful and the tools are good. The intention is the “journey”. If you take intentional, inspired action daily toward your goal for 45 days, amazing things will happen.

I have seen this work in other areas of my life and others. I am excited about this opportunity. There are no costs and it is not a marketing ploy. Take a look at it, you might want to participate, too. Just imagine what your life would feel like if you went for it. Can you hear the sounds of delight? Join me….

What is the best product for you?

I need your assistance. I have a number of products that are nearly ready for release, and I need to know which one to focus on. I have prepared a survey that lists some of these products and asks you to select the one or ones that most interest you.

Would you take this short survey? It is anonymous (although you can leave comments and your email if you want), and very short.

Here’s the link: http://shamansweb.com/survey/index.php?sid=1

Thanks!

How to raise your experience of Thanksgiving

Have you ever been alone for a special day, such as a holiday or a birthday? How did you feel? Most of us have had that experience. What is important is how we choose to react to it. We usually want people around us to recognize the “specialness” of the day, which is another way of saying we want them to acknowledge that we are special.

When I was in college, I was a 3,000 mile plane trip from home. I usually only went home for Christmas and for the summer. Most of the time I was invited to a friend’s home or a faculty member’s home for the other holidays.

One Thanksgiving, though, I was without an invitation. All my friends had gone home and I was alone in my apartment. It would have been very easy to feel lonely, but I chose a different path.

I decided this was an ideal opportunity to truly have a day of giving thanks. Being very committed to religious practice at the time, I made this a day of fasting and prayer. Instead of gorging myself on food, as I usually did, I chose to do without food or drink. This day was to be devoted to activities that allowed me to focus on my spiritual connectedness, and to express gratitude for my blessings.

At one point I got on my bicycle and rode all over campus. I do not recall seeing another person there that day. I was truly alone… but, I was not lonely. I felt very connected to my Source of truth. And, I felt very grateful.

Thanksgiving Day has been different for me ever since. That one event allowed me to step away from the cultural norm and to go back to the roots of the day. There are other reasons to celebrate Thanksgiving — being with family and friends is a significant one — but, they all focus upon gratitude.

What can you gain from this? Three things:
1) We can choose our reality. You may not yet believe that we can truly change our physical circumstances. That’s ok. For now, just allow yourself to understand that we can choose how we respond to our context. In choosing our response, we can deeply change the experience. In NLP this is called “reframing.”

2) Our choices have impacts long into the future. Two paths may diverge with only a slight separation. Over time that slight separation becomes a huge difference.

3) Consciously or not, we are always choosing our response and, thus, choosing our paths. Most people are “stumbling” onto their path by automatic reactions. Those who are “awake”, choose their responses deliberately. Choose your paths wisely, because you are truly choosing your future reality.

May today, and every day, be a day of thanksgiving for you so that your chosen path may lead to the future you desire.

Dragons, or The Reality of Myth

I have long taught my students that myth always has a strong basis in reality. The more widespread the myth the stronger the basis must be. A myth, such as dragons, that is virtually universal across time and societies is indicative of a strong foundation. That basis is generally lost in antiquity — such is the nature of myths. If it were not lost, then it would likely not be a myth, but just be an anomaly of history.

Science and, thus, society may not comprehend the foundations of the myth until a “discovery” is made to remind us of its ancient foundations. Without this understanding, we can dismiss myths as part of an unenlightened cosmology of ancient people. This not only denigrates our forbears, it also deprives us of a richness in our understanding of Creation. Our inability to understand the basis of something does not make it less true…. And, when we ridicule myths, or their followers, we are really revealing our own pious ignorance.

Occasionally, science identifies some of these foundations. This happened recently with the discovery of a fossil of a strange dinosaur. It was named Dracorex hogwartsia in honor of the popular Harry Potter books. The name means basically “Dragon King of Hogwarts”. It has much of the appearance of mythical dragons.

I do not believe that this is the full explanation of the dragon myths, but it does give insights into its possible origins that are acceptable to society and science. The full explanation will go much deeper, and cover terrain that most are not prepared to cross. This story does serve the purpose, though, of reminding us that all myths have a basis in reality.

Knowing the basis of a myth yields understanding about the myth; understanding leverages power. So, the important question for today is:

What is the basis of your personal and cultural mythology?

The Perfect Storm and personal growth

The Perfect Storm.  It was a book, then a movie.  Now, it denotes the accumulation of a series of contextual events that individually may have been minor or insignificant.  Once brought together in the same environment, however, it creates a context for something disasterous in huge proportions.

I believe we are seeing the generation of the perfect storm.  Here are the factors:
* The value of the US dollar is rapidly declining.  We are now on par with the Canadian dollar.  Only a few years ago we were running about CD$ .67 to US$ 1.00.  We have declined relative to other world currencies as well.
* Our gold reserves are being depleted.  Some countries are turning in their US dollars and asking for gold.  Other countries (Egypt being one) have asked for their aid payments to be made in Euros, rather than US dollars.
* Grain reserves are collapsing.  The last I read, we were down to 56 days of stocks in the US, approximately 1/3 of what it was a few years ago.
* Pressure on crops and grain supplies are increasing tremendously.  Europe is seeking more of our grain.  One-half of the Canadian wheat did not mature this year, because of exceptional summer heat.  We import about the same quantity that was lost, and Canada is one of our major sources of grain.  Prices are escalating.  Some grains have doubled since last year.  Because of the scare over Chinese flour, there is more demand for North American grain here in the U. S.
* Oil prices are climbing.  They are hovering near $90/barrel now.  While retreats are quick possible, the predictions are for continued increases.  Analysts are predicting $100 soon.  These prices are four times what they were five years ago, and are pushing 50% higher than they were 11 months ago.  Our administration has declared they are “very concerned” about the increase in prices and it’s impact on our economy.  Our reserves are down 5.3 million barrels.  The US is currently the largest consumer of world oil production, but China is rapidly overtaking us.  Their demand is rising by 15% per year.  Considering that oil drives economies, it should be no surprise that access to oil is a strategic (ie., military) consideration.

Where is all this headed?
Our economy is already starting to show signs of slowing.  Increases in fuel costs will affect all aspects of our economy.  When you put all these factors together, we may well be headed for the “perfect storm” economically.  And, we have not even factored in the declining housing market, the looming mortgage disaster, global warming impacts, the destruction of thousands of buildings in California fires ($2.5 billion at last count) and the displacement of nearly 1,000,000 people from a major economic center for this country, peak oil, the diversion of crops into biofuels, nor the economic strain of a protracted war.

What I pay for gas has risen nearly 50% this year.  Natural gas went up 30% at the beginning of the year and supplies are short.  A local fertilizer plant is closing because they can no longer obtain natural gas.  Food costs are up, and will continue to rise as the impact of rising oil and grain shortage moves into the market.

Combine all these factors together and we may well see a powerful economic crisis.

What does that have to do with this website?
Everything.  This website is about moving gracefully through life.  It is about being in positions of personal power (that does not necessarily mean power over others), where you can adapt readily to changes in the external world.  It is about being “ahead of the power curve.”

To do that you must be aware of what is going on around you.  Once you are aware, you must take action.  Your action must not be reaction.  Rather, it should be thoughtful and conscious, graceful and honest, and respectful of others and the earth.

You may feel that for the reasons discussed here, and for others, that we are headed for some difficult times.  If that is the case, you would be wise to prepare as best you can.  There are many things to consider: food supplies, medical supplies, evacuation plans (including where and how you will meet with loved ones), gardening plans, cash reserves (how many Americans have a savings account?), etc.

If you are serious about being prepared for possible future events, you should consider joining me for an intensive training program.  It will teach you to be self-sufficient by learning to access your inner resources in powerful ways.  This is not a survivalist head-for-the-hills training.  It is pragmatic and spiritual, giving you the tools to manage your life in whatever circumstances you find yourself.  Further, it gives you the tools to create and manage those circumstances.  It is intense, personal and expensive, because it demands a strong commitment from both of us.  I do not, at present, promote it.  So, if you are interested, contact me and we will discuss it.

Until next time…. be conscious of your world…. be conscious of yourself…. be a force for positive…. BE!

Halloween: Entering the world of all possibilities

Halloween is many things. It is foremost a time of fun and frivolity. That can take many forms, the most common (in the U. S.) being kids in costumes asking for candy and other treats. It is also parties for them and “spook alleys”.

Adults have fun as well. Many find joy being amidst the costumed children and seeing that they have a safe, exciting time. Others go to their own activities to engage in more grown-up versions of costumed partying.

For the adults in costume, and perhaps to some degree for the children, Halloween is a time to release one of their alter egos. Or, it can be a time to try out a potential new one. This is a time when it is socially acceptable to express ourselves in a way that is very different and “out of character”. It is an opportunity to be bold, to experiment.

We do this naturally as children. It is part of establishing our identity that we will present to ourselves and to the world. In our young years it appears as role-playing. In our teen years, it manifests as rebellion. It parts the curtain slightly again as a “mid-life crisis”. This is when we realize that the identity that we clutched so fervently as a young adult may not have actually represented all we are, and we feel the angst.

For some, another major opportunity comes in the fall and winter of life. Our career has ended, the children are grown and we are alone or with our partner. At last, we seem to have finally reached the point where we can ask “what do I really want to do?”. If we are fortunate, the question is no longer bounded by economic needs, and social requirements are diminishing. We can now look at what is in our hearts.

The shaman, the warrior, takes a different approach. He or she will adopt different “costumes” to accomplish a purpose. This may sound insincere, but it is the opposite. It is being totally true to your heart, perhaps more so than the average person who zealously adheres to a particular philosophy or creed. But, that is a comparison you must resolve.

Consider this in the process: Would you wear the same clothes to work on your car or garden, to play with the kids, to attend a nice dinner with friends, to go to church, and to sleep? For most, the answer is no.

Every great master and spiritual leader that I’m aware of has used different “costumes”. At various times they may be a recluse, a disciplined devotee, a demanding leader, a gentle confident, a compassionate healer, a charismatic speaker, a quiet sufferer of abuse, an aggressive and fearless defender of truth, or any number of other roles.

For the person who is seeking to fulfill their life’s purpose, the requirements are similar. If you wish to be seated in your power, you must learn to step into different roles — to be able to change “costumes” freely and easily.

The keys are:
First, to be able to create and wear the “costume”. Actors learn to do this to some degree. This is an important aspect of shamanic training, and is much more extensive.
Second, to be able to remove it easily. You must create a structure that allows you to stay connected with your heart and truth. This is where most people fail. They adopt a “costume” in their youth because it serves them at the time, but without realizing it’s limitations. At that time they lack the maturity and understanding to be able to create an “exit strategy”, or a way to remove the “costume” when it is no longer viable for them.
Third, they use their “costumes” with integrity and honor, and always in harmony with their heart and truth. This is what separates the shaman, the warrior, the inspired spiritual leader, from the charlatan and the dictatorial tyrant.

Everything we do should be grounded in integrity, honor and truth, and practiced with consciousness.

So, what is your “costume” today?

What would a shaman think?

A shaman should be aware of their environment. A shaman is a force for managing their environment. they cannot do that if they are not aware of it. They need to be conscious!

So, take a look at these three articles and identify what they mean to you. You may, and should, add to your assessment whatever additional information you have. Let your shaman out! Please post your assessment and comments. I will post mine shortly.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7048600.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7061597.stm

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aloipJ1k0qLk&refer=us

Be wise… be Conscious… BE!