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Ivy Sea Blog - September 1, 2005 A friend recently came to visit from Barcelona, Spain, and observed that, unlike many of the people he heard and visited with before arriving here San Francisco, I didn't pepper my speech with "Um, uh, like, you know" slang fragments. I assured him that I was as susceptible to such habits of speech as anyone else, and it had been (and remains) a conscious decision to speak more mindfully and skillfully — without the ums, uhs, likes, and you knows. In truth, I'd not actually thought about it in awhile, though it's hard not to notice it if you pay attention as you go through your day. Chances are excellent that you'll hear it all around you — um, uh, like, you know ... and worse. I noticed recently, for example, a rash of middle-aged professional men greeting one another with "What's up, Bro?" or "Hey, Bro!" — casual salutations borrowed from the X-Games culture, which in turn borrowed it from the urban youth or Hip Hop culture, and they perhaps inherited it from the 60s and 70s funk culture, and so on. The point being that whether we're peppering our speech with "Um, uh, like, you know" or other verbal habits or trends of speech, it can give the impression of unskillfulness or incongruousness at best, and appear ludicrous at worst. And then there are the times when it's wholly inappropriate, or even counter-productive or damaging in its effect, if only because it distracts from what may be the more important words or the core message we're conveying. Of course, there are some times when greater skillfulness is more important, because we're being scrutinized or evaluated more carefully. There are times when we can be more relaxed in our speech, or other communication, though always still mindful of the effect we're having. It's often the case that many of us default to "Um, uh, like, you know" when we're nervous or feeling less confident, or when our guard is down. And it's possible that our cultural discomfort with silence, with "the pause," causes us to use "filler" like "Um, uh, like, you know, excellent Bro." Communication is powerful; words are powerful. Like other forms of communication — listening, inquiry, self-talk, mindset, writing — we're most effective and skillful, and perhaps more highly regarded, when we're being more mindful and precise, saying what we mean and meaning what we say (or write, or think, or ask). Being conscious of how we speak is crucial, so that we can make the best choices when it matters most. |
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Ivy Sea Spirit & Mastery Blog - July 5, 2005 Imagine a world in which all was considered an expression or gift of the Divine, and thus considered sacred. People, animals, Nature, and even work ... all Divine expressions, all sacred because of it. Not from a religious or dogmatic sense, but from a great sense of heartfulness, awe, and appreciation of the elegance and complexity of the Universe and life itself, in all its manifestations. Let's assume for a moment that everyone and everything is sacred and amazing. How does that change the way you view yourself? Other people? Your 'pets'? Nature and the environment? How does it change your actions — what you consider valuable, and the way you behave and approach your work? For most of us, if we're honest, we'd admit that we don't approach ourselves, our work, other people, the animals in our lives, the environment and Natural world as if we and they were sacred. Far from it. But rather than allow such a consideration to get us down, it can uplift and inspire us. Many surveys point to people looking for more meaning, trying to make sense of things, seeking a connection to the sacred. It could be said that disconnection and devaluing help to foster depression — not just mentally and emotionally, but a depression of what's possible in terms of our individual and collective genius, what's possible in terms of our joy and creativity, of our ability to believe and see much more. There have been times when there existed a greater connection to the concept of the sacredness of all things and beings, and people who have taught and lived in such a way. In each era, culture, group, and individual, it's easy — if we look with clear eyes and listen with 'ears to hear' — to see what's truly valuable and what we truly hold sacred. Our words, actions, resources, time, money ... all tell a story of what we really value. What story (and whose story) are you currently living, individually, through your work, in your groups and organizations? Is it the story that, ultimately, you'd like to be known for? Do the plotlines really emphasize the sacredness of all things, or do they need some refinement and realignment? It's just a change-of-heart, and shift-of-perception away, and yet with it come the greatest riches of all. |
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Ivy Sea Spirit & Mastery Blog - June 6, 2005 "You are here to enable the world to live more Very few people actually want to be "part of the problem." Most people want to matter, they want to make a positive difference; they want their life to have had a positive legacy. This has nothing at all to do with the "he who acquires the most toys, wins" mentality. It's not wise; in fact, it's short-sighted, destructive, and kind of immature, when you think about it. The deeper need of most humans, once survival needs like food and shelter are taken care of, is to do something meaningful and contribute something that matters. Some people are aware of this, and taking conscious steps towards it. A few others are highly mired in the "acquire and exploit" model. And a fair number of those in-between kind of bob along hoping for the best, fearing the worst, and assuming someone else will "do something about it" and save us (and Mother Earth, etc.) from our collective short-sightedness. These are the Sleepers, and the Sleepers are now being called to awaken. The alarm-clock is ringing. We're all needed, and complacent "bobbing along" is no longer going to cut it, particularly since too many bob along in a destructive direction that is not sustainable. With a strong lead and intention from those who are awake and clear, and those who are shaking off the sleep and getting clear, there is wisdom to guide us, and a few practical models in development for us to experiment with. Better yet, the "conscious path" offers exactly the "meaning and mattering" opportunities that most people, in their heart of hearts, truly want. And it feels much better, and really isn't all that difficult, once you get the hang of it. What's to lose? Nothing. What's to gain? Everything. Read the full article, including "what you can do right now" |
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Ivy Sea Spirit & Mastery Blog - May 20, 2005 As suits my interest and quest, I regularly read on matters of spirituality and the sacred, both ancient and contemporary. This morning, I came across an article by a Scotswoman who was lamenting the rise and ways of "neo-shamans" reclaiming "Celtic" heritage. As with most criticisms leveled at these modern practitioners of ancient shamanic practices, the writer cited her frustrations at the "appropriation" of ancient cultural ways and that the contemporary neo-shamans were practicing the sacred arts for a livelihood, including getting paid for it. Her criticisms also alluded to the seemingly patchwork ways in which they pieced or sewed together bits and pieces to create their own updated versions of shamanism. And she criticized the very use of the word "shaman", since it derives from the Siberian tradition and is not applicable to others. As I read through her article and the litany of criticisms and "corrections," and recalled similar accounts that I've heard and read which make the same and other criticisms — be it of contemporary shamans, New Agers, or other contemporary reinventors — I found myself wondering, is it really so horrible, given all that's occurring in the world, that a rising number of people are feeling called to re-root and reinterpret the ancestral wisdom of previous eras for use in our own challenging times — times in which the mainstream religions seem to be fostering more ill and confusion than spiritual sustenance? What's really at the heart of these criticisms; what bothers these people so much? As with many things, some criticisms may have some truth to them, when applied to some practitioners of New Age, neo-shamanism, pagan, neo-Jesian/neo-Christian, neo-mystics, or other modern "neo" spiritual reinterpretations. But it occurs to me that many of the criticisms have something less honest about them. Read the full version of this blog article. |
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Ivy SeaBlog - April 28, 2005 Have you considered these words lately, or others like them? Have you allowed yourself not just to think them or speak them, but to marinate yourself in their essence? Audacious, bold, bodacious, intrepid, courageous, inventive, visionary... I attended a symposium in late March, where one of the speakers asked us, "What would be bold for you?" At about the same time, I was in dialogue with several kindred-spirits — friends and collaborators — about these very words and concepts. What would be bold and daring for you? What would be audacious? What would you do, or who would you be, if you had the courage? What would you being "an intrepid, audacious Spirit" look like? These are powerful words, not timid ones. No wallflowers here; rather, these are flowers that grow tall, radiate their color and fragrance, and share resolutely and without apology their inherent magnificence and gifts. They don't shrink or hoard; they blossom and bloom into their full potential. What does it look, sound and feel like when our audaciousness, our boldness, our courage and daring and vision, are put to use for the greatest, highest, and most magnificent purposes? What would it be like if each of us was to blossom and bloom into our highest possibility and potential, rather than shrink back into our lower potentials, limiting beliefs, and tired societal norms? What would be bold and daring for you? How can your own inherent vision, courage, and daring be explored and shared for the highest good of all? How can you embody that audacious "high vision" a little bit more each day? |
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Ivy SeaBlog - April 18, 2005 How we experience things, and the conclusions that we draw, depend heavily on our pre-conceived notions and biases. Think, for example, of how many people respond to pigeons. For many people, saying "pigeon" brings to mind a nuisance. "Ugh! They're dirty and make a mess," say a good many people when I tell them that we have several pigeon couples who built their Spring nests in our eaves under the roof. Pigeons are urban doves, and have the grittier reputation to go with it. Even here in San Francisco — a place that's known for tolerance and generosity to the "down and out" and those who wish to live alternative lifestyles — pigeons aren't altogether welcomed. City policy, as one would expect, is compassionate, but residents are encouraged not to feed the birds, lest they get comfortable and breed (though people do the same, and can be even more annoying and dirty. Go figure!) And yet, even with pigeons, there's another side to the story — one that, if we open ourselves to it, can make us think differently of these much maligned urban birds. Read the full version of this blog entry (and read a great story) in the blog archives. |
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Ivy SeaBlog - March 28, 2005 Andrew Harvey's writing is always energizing and inspiring. When you read what he's written, if you have the soul of a mystic, you feel his complete love and passion for the Beloved, and for being that in the world. Harvey has more recently emphasized the need for "mystical activists" — those who are mystically inclined but also called into the world to contribute to the Great Work, the shift from one paradigm that no longer works to an era of seeing, being, doing and working that is more sustainable, healthy, and reverent. Many of us feel this call, against our introspective natures and perhaps our preference for quiet, low-key lives. Harvey says that there's no time for indulging in that sort of introversion for most of us; the Earth, life and its many manifestations are in need. Whether we need to look at rampant corporate greed that regularly decorates the news headlines, or reports of hundreds or dolphins and whales washing ashore after being horribly injured by the continued military testing of new sonar, or of more and more people being seduced into a new form of indentured-servitude, we have all of the evidence we need that an engaged spirituality is what the times call for, and call us to. Wishing us all Grace, courage and skillfulness! |
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Ivy SeaBlog - March 19, 2005 So many different wisdom traditions have prophecies for these times. Among them are prophecies from the Maya, the Hopi, the Achuar, the Christian traditions. The themes of these prophecies are reflected, too, in dialogues about "the Great Work," and even in the Wisdom texts of the bible. They speak, each in their way, of an increasing — and increasingly sharp — polarity in our world. On one side, we see mounting environmental destruction, violence, war, pestilence (a rise in old and seemingly new illness and plague), harshness, greed, and other manifestations of unresolved Shadow. On the other side, we see an awakening taking place, a remembrance of older spiritual Wisdom ways and traditions, a heightening sense and expression of consciousness, a collaboration between sometimes "odd bed fellows" who unite in their common ground: a vision for a renewal of hope, of loving stewardship of the Earth and all of her creatures (humans included!), of compassion. The prophesied "Golden Age," or, as phrased in some traditions, the dreaming of a new dream. Those awakening to Wisdom, and feeling the impulse to the Great Work of helping to change the current "dominant culture" dream into a more sustainable one, must become what Andrew Harvey calls "activist mystics". Our spirituality and our pursuit of consciousness must also include a form of engagement. We must be IN the world. The times call for it. |
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Ivy SeaBlog - February 9, 2005 This afternoon, while doing my traditional end-of-day visit to MSNBC.com to check out the day's news headlines, I came across an article by Rabbi Marc Gellman entitled "Dialing for Dead People: Is talking to ghosts a good or bad idea?" Rabbi Gellman is known as "one half of the God Squad." The article is interesting, and the Rabbi's style is thoughtful, engaging, and often humorous. In discussing the issue of whether ghosts are real, and whether there are genuinely "plugged in" (e.g. accurate) psychics, Rabbi Gellman reviews several of the common arguments in favor of and against the issues. In the "pro" column, he, like many people, references rather strong anecdotal (and increasingly scientific) evidence of things like encounters with ghosts and conversation with spirits; claims that used to be — in Western culture, anyway — considered "fanciful" or flat-out nutty. Here the Rabbi notes that there is considerable therapeutic value, for example, in a psychic's messages from "the dead" to grieving relatives. He also points out that there is an abundance of examples in the Judeo-Christian scriptures of people talking to the dead, having visions, and getting messages from spirits and God. In the "con" column, Rabbi Gellman raises the oft-heard biblical admonishments relative to consulting "witches" or other mediums or practitioners of "sorcery" or astrology. He references verses from the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy, for example, which explicitly forbid people to consult with oracles and the like, and in fact suggest rather violent actions against such practitioners. The problem with these particular biblical references is the established historical fact that such statements were made during times — several thousand years ago — when very worldly men were seeking to consolidate their own power over the people, and actively and often very violently attempting to squelch the religious, spiritual, philosophical, and wisdom traditions that had long been in existence — traditions that included astrology, mathematics, philosophy, inclusion of the Divine Feminine as well as the Divine Masculine, of Goddess as well as God. The unfortunate effects of these types of admonishments have been murder, violence, intolerance, and the heart-wrenching loss of major contributions to history and even more major voices of Wisdom and Spirit. |
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Ivy SeaBlog - February 1, 2005 When we think of prayer, chances are good that we think of "doing." Our mind's eye sees athletes mouthing silent prayers ("Please Lord, let me win this game."), or politicos praying that their agenda or candidate win (more than a few have spoken of prayer as "a weapon", or of "prayer wars" to help the candidates who support their agendas win elections, etc.). Many of us resort to prayer at times of desperation or despair (hence the phrase, "It brought me to my knees"). There are many types of prayer (and prayers), and this type of "petitioning" prayer is one. But at its most powerful, prayer is less about petitioning for something we want — though that's how many people think of prayer — and is more a matter of surrendering our "small mind" and opening up to something greater than our current understanding and perceptions of our capability. Because we often see prayer as something we do, we can't allow ourselves to relax into prayer and give up our pre-ordained ideas of what we need to say and hear in and through prayer. When we give up and give in to prayer, the wisdom within us, the knowing in our heart that is too often spoken over by the chatter of our minds, knows what to say and when to listen. It is that heart-wisdom within us, what some call the spark of the Divine, that can then through prayer connect us to the greater wisdom, illumination, beneficent creative power, and love that is God. We loosen the perimeter and dissolve the borders of our ego, so that we can be receptive to Spirit and become the prayer, or, as the Christian convert Paul said, we begin to "pray ceaselessly," and "the doing" becomes effortless. In this way, we experience what the mystic-poet Kabir referred to when he wrote, "Something inside me has reached the place where the whole world is within me breathing." For several beautiful resources for and about prayer, follow the links to the work of Ivy Sea Collaborator Maggie Oman Shannon, founder of The New Story. Maggie's book, Prayers for Healing, is one of my bedside favorites. See our Wisdom and Mastery Portal related articles and links. |
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Ivy SeaBlog - December 16, 2004 A reader recently sent me an email, wanting to share his experience in several companies where unethical behavior was a norm. In these organizations, he shared, sales and marketing employees were encouraged to "do whatever it took" to make the sale, even when "what it took" was unethical and in some cases illegal behavior. The issues he raised, to his dismay, were never discussed in sales or marketing circles, much less the organizations themselves. Read the full text of this entry |
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Ivy SeaBog - September 30, 2004 The concept of welcoming home our loyal soldiers is a metaphor that works on both individual and group or cultural levels. The concept stems, in part, from the story of various Japanese soldiers who were stranded in remote locations during World War II. The war ended, but due to their isolation, these soldiers did not know that the war was over and thus continued to exert their loyalty and fight the war, if only in their minds. As military service men and women return from Iraq or Afghanistan, for instance, how do we welcome them home? Many return physically wounded or maimed, but all who have seen war have psychological, emotional, and spiritual scars that must also be tenderly addressed and compassionately cared for. Do we do our very best in welcoming home our warriors — regardless of our opinions of any given war effort ? Do we help them heal their spiritual as well as their psychological and physical scars? |
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Ivy SeaBog - August 30, 2004 Many wisdom teachings, contemporary writers and speakers, and even modern science tell us that each of us has an enormous impact on the world we see, experience, create, and share. Even for those who stand up ready to make a positive impact, this level of responsibility is daunting. For those who have settled into mediocrity, releasing to some degree their responsibility, it must seem overwhelming. And yet, regardless what we think of it, or even whether we know about it, the reality remains the same: There is a mind-body-spirit connection. There is a connection between what we're willing to see and what we choose to see. There is a connection between what we choose to believe, think, and act, and how our bodies react to our choices. There is a connection between what we believe and think, and the way our choices impact other people and the Earth. Like it or not, we're responsible for what "is" — both in our individual reality, and in the broader culture and world. Even while that responsibility seems daunting, our Ancestors, in their wisdom and extreme generosity, ensured that we have wise guidance about how to live in balance, in harmony with this knowledge that "as we think, we are" and "as we think, the world is". Our faith and wisdom traditions — whatever they may be — have at their core the very guidance that helps us not only to connect with this ancient and sacred wisdom, but also to put it to work in and through our lives. Many people today yearn to make a positive difference, to live a life that is meaningful. And many look outside of themselves, not to faith or wisdom teachings but to externalized and Ego-based definitions of success. There is no meaning to be found there; a car, a title, a salary, an impressive address, or Ego-stroking praise for others — none of these is meaningful in and of themselves. The contradiction is that, though the level of self-responsibility that mindfulness and conscious impact require can seem overwhelming, the Way is clear and even simple. It starts within — with our thoughts and our choices — and ripples outward into our immediate environment and then onward through the whole grand system. The simple practices that we often say we're "too busy" to make time for are the very practices that will create not only time for us, but also the insight and path to right action and meaningful life. |
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Ivy SeaBog - July 23, 2004 I've heard people say that a photographer is always taking photographs, even when he or she isn't using a camera. It's just how she looks at and sees the world around her; it's how she interprets or translates what she sees, hears, and feels. Similarly, a poet is always writing poetry; a writer is always writing; a healer is always healing; a philosopher is always inquiring; a peace-seeker is always mediating; an analyzer is always problem-solving; a builder is always building; a spiritual guide is always guiding; the associative is always seeing patterns; the mystic is always seeking connection with the Divine. There are no doubt many more examples, both obvious and subtle. Each of us operates in this way, and herein we find one clue to the perennial questions: What is my purpose? What is my gift? What is my natural genius that I can offer in service to the world? While each person may have a predominant gift - the photographer's way of framing and seeing the world, or the philosopher's gift of "seeing" the questions — most people actually have several gifts. For example, one might have a predominant gift — writing, for example, or organizing, or solving problems — and also have several other gifts, such as the ability to bring humor to a situation, or a gift of natural kindness. It was said of England's Queen Mother that she always made each person feel seen and heard, such was her way of being present with people. So while she was a royal leader and figure-head for her country, she also had this deep interpersonal gift of kindness, presence, and making others feel seen and heard. So if we want to answer the questions about our gifts and purpose, we might start with investigative questions such as: How do I naturally see, hear, and do things? What are my patterns, what am I compelled to do, and in what do I find satisfaction and joy? |
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Ivy SeaBog - July 17, 2004 I was browsing through the Orion Magazine issue that arrived in my mailbox, and noted a reader's letter to the editor. In it, the reader commented on an essay from a previous issue written by writer-activist Derrick Jensen, in which Jensen spoke about the revolutionary concept (and current world-need) of following our hearts, and then helping others to find and follow their own hearts. The reader took some offense at Jensen's suggestion, assuming that those who follow their hearts — or, as mythologist Joseph Campbell put it, "follow their bliss" — must be pursuing creative, artistic, or otherwise glamorous bliss-paths, and thus left out the "ordinary work" that is a necessity in our society - cleaning, removing garbage, sweeping streets, filing papers, washing dishes, serving food, etc. Having read Jensen's essay, I think my fellow reader missed his point, and perhaps reacted to a sore-point within her own psyche. To her credit, she felt mobilized enough by the essay to reflect on it and write a letter to Orion's editor. And yet the reader's reaction shines light on an erroneous assumption that is typical in our culture - that "bliss" or "finding one's heart" or "being on-purpose" boils down to a job title or a job type. Everything ultimately comes down to what you do, what you're called, what you earn, for whom you work, and whether others assess that as being "successful" or "worthy" or "on purpose." Finding your heart, your bliss, your purpose has nothing to do with your job title or whether what you do for a living is glamorous or mundane. No one avoids the mundane. What it means to "find your heart" or "follow your bliss" or live "on purpose" is more an inner-world thing that ultimately expresses itself in how we are with others, how we do our work, or, yes, what work we choose to do, if we can find our way to that luxury. We can listen to our heart and find our way to a specific job or livelihood. But ultimately, it's a way, not a title; it's more of a how than a what; and it's more a why than a "how much." As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. pointed out, a street sweeper can sweep the streets even as Mozart created music or an artist creates art or a writer writes. Dorothy Day also offered a perspective on doing "the little work" in a spiritually big and heart-centered way. This is also one of the key components of "conscious enterprise," big-vision entrepreneurship, or general mindfulness. By doing something well, and doing it fully from the center of our being — from our heart — we transform even the most mundane work into our prayer and gift to the world, and in that transformation and giving we find meaning.
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