Idle - A Four letter Word?

As the word "idle" has been thrust into my daily consciousness through the growing momentum of the "Idle No More" movement I thought I would do a little personal research into how the word is defined - an online dictionary offered the following: 1. Not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing 2. Not spent or filled with activity 3. Not in use or operation; not kept busy 4. Habitually doing nothing or avoiding work; lazy 5. Of no real worth, importance or significance. Wow, if this is what it means then no surprise one might be hesitant to be seen as or define themselves as being "idle." It would seem it is a state of being that carries with it the potential to cast one as a social pariah. Then I begin to wonder does language determine the truth or do attitudes or beliefs create definitions that support the ideology (the structure)and if so, how can one be sure that the widely held interpretation embodies an accurate representation of the facts. After all "appearances" can be deceiving." The expression "Idle Hands are the Devil's workshop might offer a clue as the connotations associated with "idleness." I consider further the idea of "work ethic" with respect to the virtuous status it is afforded. Some further inquiry reveals that the "Protestant (or Puritan) work ethic" I read suggested that hard work, frugality and prosperity are indicative of one's "salvation" (Wikipedia)- which goes on to make further distinctions: Catholicism: good works are required of Catholics to be "saved" Reformers: good works were only a consequence of already received salvation. Calvinists: taught only those "predestined"would be saved. When it became apparent that it would be difficult (if not impossible) to determine who was "predestined" it would seem, the credibility gap was bridged by presuming the qualifying factors of those with favourable destiny, could be identified by observing their way of life. Hard work and frugality were seen as integral qualities of this predetermination - consequently it would seem, given the stamp of "divine approval." Now this account may occur to some, as a rather elaborate piece of work to avoid work - that I am in fact "work adverse." I would say there is some truth to that, I don't see work for the sake of work as being of much value. More on that forthcoming - but first I wonder why is it, that in what is touted largely as a secular society, where God (of any description) has been made an outcast from government, the workplace and schools are we still being driven and defined by value systems and ideologies, that have as their origins various religious sources? And if it can be accepted that some of these ideas have practical relevance (it is not my intent to debate the theology represented thus far - though suffice to say not ideas that ring true for me)how is it that elements of these religions (where convenient) are used to promote and uphold a system that is dependant on unsustainable productivity, consumption, extraction, exploitation, & profit (for a relative few). This brings me back to my position on "work for the sake of work" how can this be seen as desirable? The system I described seems to me to be hugely unbalanced - i.e. there is a great deal of taking, however, what is being given back? The system doesn't ask of a potential or existing business, to demonstrate much beyond viability (ability to be financially sustainable) but what of sustainability factors: like the environment, quality of life for the employees or the community where the business operates? Far more weight on "get a hair-cut and get a real job" than consideration for value to humanity or respect for life. Get up - get going, get busy, "contribute to the economy" all of which contribute to a consciousness that on the one hand applauds those that are "doing what they have to do to support themselves and their family" but ignores that maybe what they are doing is not particularly supportive in the long run - however they can say at the end of the day for God's sake, at least I'm not sitting "idly" by doing nothing.It seems to me there is an inherent righteousness that often accompanies participants in the smoke and mirrors game known as the "economy"whereby, any that don't blindly participate are vilified. Conformity becomes the marching order - dissent invites retribution in the form of being cast as an "untouchable" through political discourse & media bias, which in turn, becomes the panacea for the masses. The premise in the shell game is that there is something under one of the shells - in the economic equivalent, there is a great deal of energy being expended by those running the game and many are kept so busy trying to watch the shells and "do their part" to keep them in motion, I think many would prefer not to realize that under all three shells, there is nothing! Oh how enticing the game is, the allure of abundance and prosperity for everyone - however "the house wins." Gradually and insidiously the player of the game becomes played by the game. It is not my intention to cast dispersion upon goals, discipline, productivity, contribution or service. My concern lies with a system that upholds such glaring inequities. One that continues to place ever increasing demands on the natural resources of planet earth, in order to sustain this formula of perpetually increasing production, to make possible maximum profits, through continually growing markets of consumers. If one examines this formula it has, at either end consumption - that can't possibly be sustainable. If you went to your doctor or wellness consultant and said I have a great idea for a weight-loss program - I'm going to eat my right arm and leg - I'm left handed anyway!) I'm pretty sure the elements that make up these two limbs are for the most part, nutritious and therefore life sustaining - I can't lose really, probably drop thirty - forty pounds, immediately. He or she would likely have a suggestion or two with regard to the resulting outcome - even if the weight loss/nutritional theories were sound. Now the previous example might seem absurd but really, what's the difference? How can humanity continue to survive on our planet if we are consuming it right out from underneath us and leaving the rest increasingly as a polluted, toxic non-life supporting, cesspool. The "Idle No More" movement while comprised of many members of a wide variety of indigenous communities across the continent is a wake up call for and of benefit to, all humanity, regardless of cultural background. Indigenous cultures have thousands of years of history and tradition that is based on reverence for all life. If we of European ancestry were to consider our lineages far enough back it would become more apparent that our fore-bearers lived by similar values. Somehow a vast disconnect occurred between us and our "roots" which soon became more glaring as technological advancement and domination replaced connection and cooperation. There are innumerable prophecies that point to the indigenous cultures being the protectors of "Mother Earth," rather than project fear that their opposition to further degradation of land, water and the entire web of life is all about retaliation - with some humility and sincere intention to heal the past, we could recognize our mistakes and embrace a collaborative new beginning, that is of mutual benefit to all concerned. In conclusion I submit that busyness & productivity are not synonymous with consciousness nor does it ensure that the highest good is being upheld. That not engaging in the status quo does not imply laziness - that representing a new way of being is not "doing nothing" - it might be, that it is a stand for everything, that requires enormous courage and vision. Sadly perhaps, the reward for such a stand, is often condemnation and frequently, a life span that is drastically cut short - perhaps demonstrating the difference between keeping the peace at all costs and being fully invested in peace. Finally I must confess that I was not particularly "active" while I wrote this, so I will leave it up to the reader whether I was "Idle No More" or just "Idle some More!"

The Music in Me

You are invited to accompany me on a personal odyssey - one that on some levels I have done frequently - this account involves - the first but not likely the last of its kind for the New Year (2013). Having said that generally no two journey's are entirely alike. As I have said I openly welcome your company though I will say at the outset, that I can't really guarantee you will "go" anywhere, or that you will go where I am going or even believe that it's possible that anyone can or is, going anywhere. Perhaps the portal created by my musings will invite a similar journey for you, maybe we will begin together and arrive a a cross-road where we will be called in opposite directions. Equally possible, you may think this the psychotic rambling fabrication, induced by one too many (did I say one?) shortbread cookies - it matters not. As writer, editor & publisher, I pitched the story and have been given the green light, "go ahead" said I, "run the story." Great I'll ensure the shortbread is delivered to the agreed upon location! (But I do digress) So, the journey I refer to is that which I invariably take when listening to the sound track from the movie "August Rush." That music for me is soul candy - it is shamanic healing journey, creative portal and muse combined. In the overture the voice of the main character - (a young boy) says, "sometimes the world tries to knock it out of you!"Before I venture to share further with regard to "it"- I suppose it's worth mentioning that the character in the movie is "orphaned," though not specifically my reality, I was adopted as a baby. So perhaps there are elements of this story that resonate for me where others might only see it as a variation of "Oliver Twist." He continues on further during the overture that, "I believe in music the way some people believe in fairy tales - that what he "hears" is the same thing his mother & father heard, that the notes he hears are the same notes they heard that brought them together""Maybe that's how they find me?" (he concludes) I am not holding out for this to be the road-map to locating my parents (in fact I have been reunited with many from my mother's side of the family - though she had passed by that time). But what of this music he describes that which drew his parents together (that drew my parents together) long enough for conception to occur - who says the lyrics were to include they stay together the rest of their natural lives? To return to "it," I choose to believe that which "the world attempts to knock out of you" is the call of your soul, the music nothing less, than the "voice" of the Divine. This sometimes happens by "loving" parents that believe the best interest is being served,when their child "gets a real job," passion being seen like a nursery rhyme maxim. "It" can be so deeply lost beneath the layers of conditioning,the wounds of conformity, even destroyed by those that are so afraid, because they don't hear or understand the soul song of another. I did say we're going on a journey! I can't begin to tell you how many times I have heard this entire sound track, even still at times there are tracks within that move me to tears and some of these are instrumental. See the thing is, I invite you to listen to "it" but you may not hear "it," at all. To me the arrangements, the energy, the resonance and yes some of the lyrics take me somewhere. There has always been music in my life - my father a musician in a military band, "music lessons" for my adopted sister and myself. There is music that was playing during my childhood that I remember note for note to this day. I play a little guitar and sing some (and this is not false modesty) it reflects what I believe to be true, even though I get relatively widespread positive feedback. So even if the music from that movie might not gain "critical acclaim" from some more widely trained or experienced to assess it through widely accepted criteria - "it" is sonically and viscerally perfect to me. I welcome your company on this journey, I will hear the truth of your experience - nothing can detract from this being "it" (or a part there of) for me. I can't tell you if this is "it" speaking to me through the music nor tell you that the music is "it" for you. All I know is most of my life I've been searching for "it" (largely outside of myself). To embrace divine order and timing I conclude that I have been led by the "music" upon the "Long and Winding Road" to the place and time where I begin to know "it" for myself. Perhaps now, writing becomes the vehicle through which I express "it." There has been pain and sadness as part of my story that has obscured "it." When I touch "it" or "it" me - I know that a connection deeply personal, profound & loving is occurring. I pray that each is ably to find "it" and express "it" in their unique and perfect way,and that the day will come when no longer does anyone feel it necessary or acceptable to "knock 'it' out of anyone!"

Quotable Quotes

My relative use, though replete with rudimentary fluency, of "social media" which as it turns out was initiated by a desire to stay connected with some newly found members of my biological family/relatives (but that's a story for another time) has given rise to my pondering the high volume of quotes, prophecy and wisdom of sages,mystics,holy men & women,activists,writers, philosophers, saints, poets, (many in the proceeding list have long since vacated planet earth) & from more recent history and in many cases still living among us, are the quips,truths and experiences of celebrities from the sports and entertainment fields, as well as motivational speakers, marketing professionals,social scientists, pioneers in quantum physics etc. Primarily I have come to observe this exchange on Facebook (which as I said, I became involved with as a "late-bloomer" I couldn't for the life of me understand why I would want to use this platform when I could just email someone - of course I didn't see the need to relinquish my mobile "flip-phone" either, until the pre-pubescent sales rep informed me that replacement batteries were no longer available (or even produced except perhaps by some after - market source. Come to think of it I didn't want a cell phone at all, until - while working "on-call" people junior to me on the call list were getting more work because they had cell phones. So I begrudgingly bought my first cell phone, which was eventually replaced by a "smart phone" which presently given it is an early generation iPhone, is so far managing to outlive it's planned redundancy. As far as I'm concerned the only "smart" aspect of these devices is that by the time one has paid out their contract they have shelled out far more for "service" than the retail cost of the phone. Just another conduit of revenue - perhaps the knowing of which places me one baby step closer to enlightenment. Now before I go much further I have been known to post said quotes (and likely will continue). I often find inspiration - even the answer to a current quandary, still I find it intriguing this swapping of material. It's a bit like the old days trading bubble gum cards - I'll give you a couple of ancient prophecies and a scripture and three proverbs, for a verse of Rumi, some dharma, a quote from the Upanishads, and a YouTube clip of a sound bite from a Martin Luther King speech. Is it possible that those that exchange said quotes etc. believe that by extension they embody the wisdom held within? I know this to be a far cry from the truth in my case - but what do I know of the journey of others, maybe they have achieved mastery. Of course according to some schools of thought we all have access to this wisdom, that it is more a case of remembering than learning. Which leaves me to wonder of my chances when I consider every time I access the site to write to my blog I seem to have an issue with what the current password might be - maybe it's different "remembering" universal truths. It is with great curiosity that I wonder did the people we are quoting and trafficking through cyberspace quote their contemporaries or even their predecessors? This might have been problematic with respect to awareness of each other and what was being said. Of course this assumes that we are at the pinnacle of communication with all the afore mentioned gadgetry - I for one doubt that, given I have witnessed multiple people sitting around a table in a coffee shop each with a device of some sort of their own - which they are deeply engaged with - none of said people are conversing with each other? So maybe we in the twenty-first century are still stumbling and bumbling with the equivalent of soup cans and waxed string (compared to ancient civilizations) but even if some of these past masters,shamans,oracles and avatars could have communicated with each other from far reaches of the planet - would they? Did they? Without question rivalries exist between subsequent followers, but did these individuals require verification or validation from anything or anybody beyond their own "source?" If indeed they were so deeply centered and grounded in the pathway of their pursuit - how is it that they were so "self-assured" fewer examples of one quoting another in their dissertations seem to circulate - or perhaps my "research" is not extensive enough? Why then is it necessary for "us" to continue to draw on the lives and experiences of those long since departed. I'll grant you some is beautifully written and I mean no disrespect to the wisdom of the elders or lessons from history. But I can get quotes from the Dalai Lama,Rumi, Will Smith and George Carlin all on the same page! Now I'm not suggesting that Will's journey has not afforded him some wisdom and I spent hours as a teen listening to George Carlin albums and appreciate his unique perspective and must acknowledge his often brutal honesty. Still is our society so wired to entertainment that we look to it's celebrities to map our destiny? Conversely I'm not saying that one must be the Buddha, Gandhi, Mother Teresa etc. to connect to Universal Intelligence, God, Creator (whatever) - I believe it does require one to be prepared to refine the art of listening (and not to "Entertainment Tonight" for Great Spirit's sake!) I am a writer - not by virtue of being known - achieving public acclaim (or notoriety - at least not yet) through my writing - rather I write because I have discovered for me it is something that completely absorbs me - I am engaged heart & soul. Having spent considerable years completely disconnected, disenfranchised and out of integrity I know the difference. Therefore I write - I blog, I comment, I post, I create (poetry and a book underway)Eventually I submit, I will clear "my vessel" to a large enough extent that I will indeed become an instrument (perhaps only for a short window of time) nonetheless at that moment, through me, will come something worthy of quoting - but in truth it is not about the scribe - it is about the message. Wisdom of the ages is relevant today - it is equally likely that the same universal source that spoke to (through) the masters of yesterday - is trying to speak right here, right now. Yes we quote some extraordinary individuals but if one took the time to listen there are pearls of wisdom flowing from sources that are often seen as ordinary or sadly in some cases, not worth listening to (thereby dismissing someone that might have offered something that would be life-changing). So why not unplug from the media - reconnect with each other, self, nature and then speak up, you might be surprised by someone replying "can I quote you on that?"

And the Winner Is?

So the election results now in, south of the border I feel inspired to offer my reflections. Without question, from many vantage points mine might be the least sought after perspective. After all, I've not attended any "Ivy League" college or University, I think there was some ivy growing on the building at the Community College I attended and I did walk through a patch of stinging nettles once in shorts so I've done some living. Perhaps I'll begin my musings by wondering aloud - would the afore mention education better qualify me to weigh in or, by the time I completed an undergraduate degree, followed by a Masters, then perhaps I reach for the "pinnacle" and attain a Phd. ("Piled high and deep") am I more or less able to think for myself? Given the need to operate and become "educated" within a particular set of parameters and criteria, well, suffice to say that's many layers of dogma undergone to shape my world view. Now I'll grant you even so, I don't have an absolute objective view - I've got dogma of my own that I'm wading through (doing my utmost to release that which doesn't serve as I become aware of it - still "it's a process") I attended a group workshop last evening (in my home town of Victoria - Canada) where the "check-in" was, for most in attendance, very impersonal in that there was commentary after commentary on the U.S. election) now granted "our" country is impacted by the government there and it's policies (as are many other countries in the world) still I can't help wonder if the whole "presidential race" is a well orchestrated (extremely expensive) diversion and "reality-esque"form of t.v. entertainment that distracts people from what actually matters in their own life, their community, their country and the world. Really will there be a significant difference between the leadership of one party over the other? Those campaigns cost millions of dollars both parties are being bankrolled by corporate concerns that don't have anything but their profit margins as their reason for being - does it really make any difference if those agendas are being represented by the guy that isn't concerned about making any pretense that he (or she) is there for anything but their corporate allies or the guy that smiles and speaks eloquently while bending you over and stripping you of all your rights and freedoms while telling you your best interest is at heart. It's a bit like "Coke" or "Pepsi" doesn't matter which way you go, they will both rot your teeth and are not good for you. From what little I've paid attention, with respect to media "coverage" (seriously what's the point - what sort of true discourse can be attained from sound bites, slanderous bi-partisan ads and the other methods of mass manipulation and slight of hand employed - from what I've heard more than once, is that never has the population been so polarized than throughout this election - that division remains, I don't believe it just vanishes because a victor has been declared. So what now then, for the "United States" I'm hearing, there is significant division in the "Union,"the same divisive energy seems to exist from what I can glean, with the "United Nations"There seems to be some disparity in existence in the languaging of these institutions. A bit like called the American baseball play-offs the "World Series" it doesn't ring true for me. I can appreciate those that love their country and their game and even though the collective salaries of the athletes, the take at the gates the monies exchanged in advertising and endorsement might equal or exceed the GDP of some small countries - it is not the "World" series. So how do "we" get back to a conversation (or maybe more accurately start one) that reminds those in the continental U.S. that they are in it all together. Before I'm accused of asserting some sort of Nationalist self-righteousness - first of all have you ever heard of an "assertive Canadian" it's an oxymoron isn't it? Or could be just more of that "dogma."Secondly we are no strangers to divisiveness north of the border, politically there might be a few more parties, that actually manage to get seats at the table, but so far as the governing party goes (Nationally) it's one or the other. So maybe an extra couple of shells in our game - but not unlike the sideshow version, though one swears they never took their eye off "the shell" it comes up empty and continuing to play, sends you home with your pockets cleaned out. Canada likes to think of itself as this "multi-cultural mosaic" that's the buzz - meanwhile I've been privy to many a lunchroom conversation that contains such inflammatory observations as "they" are taking all of "our jobs"Aren't all of "us" entitled to be gainfully employed? (if we so choose). I did some travelling abroad last year - through some countries where English is not the first language - it gave me some idea of what it's like to be a "minority" - it really heightened for me, a sense of disconnection through my inability to effectively communicate (of course I could have learned the language - well, some of those countries were visited somewhat spontaneously, once I was over there, so there was no "preparation"- the other thing is as may become more apparent as you read this, I'm still endeavouring to master English - first things first! Even still the lack of even rudimentary language in the Balkan countries and my self-image of reasonable intelligence and ability to articulate is reduced to waving my arms around and making sounds that I'm sure don't convey intelligence. My point being, when people muster the courage to leave the life they know behind (often under duress) doesn't that merit some compassion and acknowledgement for what they have undertaken? Oh ya "it's a free country" here - you're free to pay taxes here and support the local economy, even go to war if called upon to do so, "this is Canada" you best start doing things "our way" I have news for those that think along these lines, "we" don't have a way "we are a rag-tag group of descendants, from mass immigration, from multiple lands and cultures. Many don't know their ancestors beyond a generation or two and if they know further of their lineage, they may well know very little of their ways. Canada is not old enough to actually have a way! Could be a golden opportunity to be a leader - more or less from the ground up become a model to the world of enlightened co-existence, however......... Presently the tenuous Canadian identity is being usurped by a government that once again represent corporate interests, Lets face it if this whole trickle down theory had any validity it would have worked by now - nobody "downstream" is any better off. Our reputation as a "peace-keeping" nation is being seriously compromised (if it exists any more at all) and the fall back position of having the best hockey is overshadowed by a strike - more divisiveness. That would leave the beer - do we really want to have that the only remaining pillar of the Canadian identity? (I'm almost afraid to pose the question) It requires colossal energy to maintain these entrenched positions - back and forth we swing across political spectrums, from pole to pole - now can we listen to Rodney King - "Can't we all just get along?" In fairness the politicians are scapegoated "we" scream for change and elect the same people, not even by default, there are alternatives, with fresh ideas and inspiration, but they are over-looked scoffed at frequently. "They have no experience." Exactly how much of the status quo experience will it take in order to make attractive a new experience? So let's be clear, you can't demand change and vote for the same one or two parties they don't represent "change" - they don't even want change, they want to just keep on doing what they've already been doing - they are just waiting for the green light granted post election day. So don't claim you want change unless you're prepared to have things get different - really, truly different, otherwise just say what you mean, that you don't want anything to change including, complaining about that nothing is changing! Let us consider our own bodies, do the liver and kidneys decide "we're" part of the purifying, detoxifying team surely you can't expect us to cooperate with the elimination team - they're foul, we can not ally ourselves with the likes of bladder or bowel! Or the lungs deciding, well yes we do serve primarily the same function however that additional lobe - really quite unseemly - I think we must separate and though it may be argued the head and heart have been opposed for all time, they really are on the same team. Usually rogue entities in this system are cancerous. Are not these deeply venerated ideologies, mind-sets, and agendas every bit as invasive to the human race and ultimately the planet? Nature abounds with examples of symbiosis and interdependence - instead of learning from that and recognizing we as humans are part of that we are led down the garden path by our "leaders" - amused to no end by the follie of their quite possibly staged engagement. Did I say to "no end" lest we forget, there was a precedent set quite some time ago which involved humans being misled in a garden, as I recall it didn't "end" well.

Let's Get Physical

Now then, to begin with, I am familiar with the benefits of physical exercise, I studied it in order to become qualified to help others to reach their fitness goals - but also equally important I have the personal experience of how becoming more fit affected the quality of my own life (expertise is after all more than intellectual, there is much to be said for the experiential). Having said that I have also experienced a certain pattern of "all or nothing" in my life which in part answers how I came to go from being interested in improving my own well-being to taking on the role of guiding others. Next my own journey increasingly took me into the realm of other aspects of personal development, spirituality and healing and I realized that it is not enough to just maintain the physical - it is an important aspect (being the "house of the soul") and in part being the vehicle through which living is experienced. But having discovered the importance of these other facets of being I was no longer satisfied speaking to people only about the physical plane. The next phase of my development eventually displaced my passion for physical well-being (if not the participation in) and as my life became increasingly filled with workshops, and meditation,reading and the exploration of myself as a writer & musician (all of which were generally sedentary pursuits - I not only examined the teachings of Buddha (among a wide variety of paths - if you are thinking didn't he say something about "all or nothing" - yup here we go again) but I began to take on the physical appearance of him as well (and not the swarthy Prince Siddartha - I'm talking the more round representation often seen in gardens that carries the tradition of rubbing his belly for good luck). I have to say I have one out on my condo deck - he is always smiling I've seen him half buried in snow - in rain, sleet and dry spells still smiling - so he does speak to me metaphorically in that regard, however I'm neither the Buddha nor was I laughing about this physical reality. So earlier this year I began a walking program and then added in some yoga and qi gong. The walking is now mixed with running and just this week I decided to resume some workouts in the form of circuit-training with weights. As I said I know this is effective - I have been there before (which is both a blessing and a curse) as yes I know what is possible but I also must accept where I'm at and work with that - not expect to perform at levels that were once possible, and think I'm just going to pick right up where I left off. On that note - I know to expect some stiffness when commencing a new physical activity but even given the number of times I've experienced this (even at the peak of my fitness if I decided to try something brand new just that newness was enough to stress the muscles in a way they were unfamiliar with) I am, as I write this at the pinnacle (I hope) of my DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) after beginning a new routine on Tuesday (this is Thursday - right on schedule). I'm also sporting an elastoplast patch on my shin as the day I started back to the gym I decided to ride my bike there and while I was into my backpack to fetch something I leaned my bike against a pole it tipped over toward me leaving me with an abrasion down the front of my leg. I have not had cable for many years now - I don't tell you this to suggest this represents any particular virtue but rather to suggest that though hours of sitcoms are no longer part of my life - I truly have access to an ongoing comedy (that doesn't take a hiatus through the summer) in the form of my own life. I give you exhibit A - I chose to ride my bike for the exercise and enjoyment that I actually get riding, which was meant to address an aspect of my wellness - ironically the bike became the source of the contusion on my shin. The stiffness I mentioned is significant - I swear someone came in through the night and lowered my toilet and though I have increased my flexibility through the yoga practice, for today, my feet will be acknowledged with nothing more than a wave - I know they are down there, however reaching them, touching them or any routine maintenance will simply have to wait another day or so. The "no pain - no gain" school of thought has largely fallen out of favour - I truly believed I was easing myself back into action. It should prove interesting as tomorrow is meant to be another workout day (which would entail the second of three new circuit routines) we'll see, I will "listen to my body" perhaps the guidance will call for some revisions. At the moment I believe the message being conveyed is "are you out of your ever loving mind?" "What made you think you could go from lazy-boy to boy-wonder?" Ah but here is where all that attention to the other aspects of my being will pay off - I can embrace from the emotional -"laughter is the best medicine" from the mental - "the journey of one thousand miles begins with the first step" and the spiritual - "this too shall pass!"

Be the Change

Be the Change I deeply value inclusion, which then could imply I am adverse to exclusion. But more than that I don't understand it. I simply can't embrace those aspects that differentiate one group of humans from the next as cause for divisiveness - I can't and I won't. The irony is that paths (religious & "spiritual") that contain tenets such as love and compassion become the very forces that uphold and justify further divisiveness and separation. How is this possible? How does "Love thy neighbour" break down so entirely that it becomes rampant intolerance? As a baby I was adopted, most of my life has been devoid of many of the robes of identification that are for many, the mainstay by which they define themselves and differentiate from the next person or group. There has been a void with respect to my ancestry/roots resulting on the one hand, a deep yearning to know myself and a connection to something greater than myself, on the other, truly not understanding why people made such a fuss over their heritage which seemed so often, to go beyond affinity and reverence, to the darker side of nationalism frequently leading to lack of cooperation at best, widespread violence and genocide at worst. My own healing journey has led me to the discovery of and union with, multiple generations of my natural mother's side of the family. My father's identity remains a mystery but documentation indicates Irish ancestry - a journey to the country of my forefathers yielded personal experiences that though lacking in the validation of "empirical scientific evidence" demonstrate to me I am, strongly connected to that land - genetic testing has since verified that indeed the genetic information from my father's side is highly concentrated in Ireland. The ramifications of this are still unfolding for me - just the same another irony exists. The yearning I described earlier - the desire to know myself as part of and connected to something greater than myself, can only be partially resolved with this ancestral information. To a certain degree it doesn't matter (although it does) in as much as the continued searching has led me to broaden and deepen the quest to connect with the power and presence that created it all, me, the world, the universe, that is in fact, the universe, everything in it and beyond. "We" are all a piece of that. We are all connected by that - in that, we are no different, within our differences lies our oneness. Strip away the nationality, the religiosity, the political stripes and affiliations, your favourite corporate branding, and at the risk of complete and utter blasphemy "your" hockey or football team and we are one. People are living and sadly dying, over differences that really are illusory in nature, distractions from the truth of who we are. While wrapped in the flag, and/or the armour of the collective self-righteouness of their respective religions, crusades are waged, politicians rally support for their agendas with "us and them" rhetoric, in sports "colosseums" (recall the atrocities that took place in the original "sports venue") violence is encouraged both on the field and then spills into the audience justified merely by the wearing of a different coloured sweater. All of it ignoring the common denominator - the divine within each, that the harm brought upon another is a harm done not only to one's brother and sister but to one's self. What will it take? What then is to be the catalyst to celebrate the differences, to embrace the oneness? Will it ever happen? Is it even possible? A walk a couple days ago seemed to provide a disheartening answer - I walked through a neighbourhood where a brand new Mosque is being built - work continues on the inside, the exterior far enough along to appreciate the beauty of it's design. I can hardly wait for it to be completed so I can go and experience the worship held within. As I walked by I noticed that on the ground inside the construction fencing were copies of some of the "free literature" that one of the Christian groups in town distribute. This in the capital city of one of the provinces of Canada that touts itself as a "Multicultural Mosaic." I was saddened by the desecration, the irreverence, the "message" seemed to me to be saying "what you are doing is wrong - here, let me show you the right way." Jesus did not ask to see a birth certificate or turn and walk away from someone, based on their political or religious affiliation - love knows no limits. As it happens more recently (last night) another experience provided me with different answers to those same questions. I attended the "World Day of Prayer" gathering at the Unity Spiritual Community. During the course of the evening we were blessed with representation from the local First Nations, two gentlemen from the Muslim community in Vancouver, and a Jewish "lay-person" they shared about their paths and the place prayer takes within, for each. They all stood on the platform together with the Unity minister - we witnessed Amazing Grace being sung in the First Nations language by a husband and wife that had been through the residential school system (had their language stripped away) and now sung their prayer in a venue that was formerly a United Church (now Conservatory of Music performance venue)the Muslim leaders and group from the Jewish community sat together and each filled the space with the splendour of their traditional prayer and shared the importance of prayer in their lives as a means to come closer to God. Each in turn touched my heart where I knew in an instant what John Lennon sung about, there present is the love that Jesus demonstrated, that made Gandhi's stand unstoppable that infused the words of Martin Luther King. Each of these men believed strongly enough in this love that they lived unshakeably in it, their demise demonstrating that love transcends physical death. Indeed the walls of separation must come down and as Gandhi said "You (I) must be the change I wish to see in the World" which means to me I must continue to heal my own heart remove any remaining vestiges of borders, boundaries and walls that keep me separate from the Love that is all.

What's Your Hurry?

It never ceases to amaze that by merely walking fifteen minutes from my condo which is ensconced in urban suburbia to a local public golf with perimeter chip trail that I am instantaneously transported to a place of satiety for mind, body and spirit. I say transported as there do exist portals along the trail, but I will get back to that later. Through a focus that became more sedentary that I've been for years, last winter I managed to accumulate some unneeded extra baggage (as if the emotional stuff wasn't enough to contend with). So this year has been about continuing my less active pursuits reading,writing, meditation but also insuring there is ample physical exercise. I have incorporated both a Qi Gong and Yoga practice - I give myself full permission to advance slowly in the pursuit of both, largely because my fifty something body pretty much insists on it. The chip trail was first used just for a good brisk walk and now some six months later I am back to running for longer stretches (I like to call my "program" intuitive intervals) which essentially means I run when I feel like it and walk briskly for "recovery" intervals. Gone are the dictates of a high tech watch, log book or "run-leader" all vestiges of an illusory time when I thought all that was necessary to get fit. I much prefer my new regime - I don't remember the last time I wore a watch - as far as I concerned now there is no place for a clock in my recreation/leisure time. The interesting thing about my intuitive intervals is that I recall from my certification training as a fitness professional that the "talk test" or P.R.E. (Perceived Rate of Exertion) the former being a suitable exertion level determined by ones ability to only be able to speak in short phrases or the latter, measuring one's perceived level of exertion on a scale of 0-10 (0=no effort, 10=about to have a stroke) you wanted to be in the 6-8 range, either way studies showed that when heart rates were monitored the correlation demonstrated that individuals inherently knew the correct intensity for their activity. I mean no disrespect to those that are training for competitive events - there are both training and injury prevention benefits from a well documented and regulated program. For me if I get off the couch and out there - I've already won the competition! Besides I have lost 14 pounds so far, even pants I bought just before summer are baggy now so I will let the tale of the tape speak for itself. So, my last run was a couple days ago and as I said my fitness level is gradually improving and therefore I'm able to run longer intervals which feels great - I actually can perceive the flow at times where the cadence of my body in motion, the feel of the breeze on my face, the twisting and turning trail and of course the eclectic soundtrack provided by my iPod all blend into one transcendent experience. Oh if my grade nine gym teacher could see me now! Suffice to say back then when it was announced that the activity for the one hour class was to be cross-country running this meant to me one hour to get away from the school (and the teacher he was back at the gym timing us) during which time I would just goof off with some friends. This was until the teacher informed me he was going to accompany me on the run, his rationale being he was sure I could post a better time - I tried to assure him no, actually that's the best I can do, but to no avail. Well needless to say I finished the route in considerably shorter time than usual - because I actually ran and faster than I cared to (anytime I slowed up some I hear) "come on Mason" pick it up, unless you want to come after school and do it again! Well, I finished in "record" time, though I felt like my lungs were on fire and would come up through my throat any moment, I couldn't for the life of me understand why people would choose to do this, it largely put me off running for quite some time. I chuckled to myself, here I was out running by my own choice and was actually enjoying it. I love the accompaniment of my music, the varying beat providing the tempo, sometimes the motivation sometimes the distraction. Without question some of the up beat 70's classic rock still gets the adrenaline pumping - Enya or some of the other more meditative tracks just don't cut it - great when it's time to chill, but when it's time to get it done, Nazareth "Razamanaz" or Bad Company "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" now those songs power me up and over all the hills. On this particular day I was apparently sharing the trail with a group of the afore mentioned competitive running crowd. Good God they ran fast - I could actually feel them coming before I could see them! Impressive, what with their athletic physique's and of course it being summer the apparel left very little to the imagination, they were like animated anatomy text book pictures. Huh.... so if I had a six pack that's what it would look like. I was pretty happy that my navel was visible these days! Just as well they were running in the opposite direction - it was less obvious how many times they would have lapped me while I was doing my one 3.6km loop. I decided that I could embrace both their dedication and athletic presence at the same time honouring my progress and personal goals. Frankly I couldn't see the point of running that fast unless something or somebody was chasing me and really at that rate I'm sure they weren't seeing the splendour of the surroundings along the way. As I said earlier the are portals along this trail, for example their is a long corridor where there are various archways created by the overhead growth of some of the trees, the same stretch of trail has a beautiful canopy of lush green - the air is noticeably cooler through their and I always stop and pay homage to the nature spirits and ask permission to enter, I am invariably blessed with some very valuable insights when passing through these spaces. You can't possibly be attentive to such things when your running like the gym teacher is chasing you! Then there are the assorted oak trees and their resident spirits - one stands limbs outreaching as though ready to embrace those about to pass by or perhaps is guarding the trail, another stands right in the middle of the trail in the trunk is unmistakably the face of the spirit that inhabits the tree - I always pay my respects before passing. You see it is not just my physical fitness I am attending to when on these jaunts, it is very much about my mental, emotional and spiritual wellness as well and for these to be considered their must be due diligence to connection. Where that is concerned the young athletes are missing out (oh sure they have the camaraderie within their group) but try and flash them a smile when you pass and they are going so fast and working so hard they aren't looking for that variety of connection. Now, the people that are walking their dogs and other recreational runners, different story, I can tell you with absolute certainty that some of the smiles exchanged in passing have not only touched my heart but were the physiological equivalent of the afterburner on a jet plane, if my legs were feeling heavy before hand upon the exchange they were given new life! Speaking of connection I was guided to stop at a particular part on the trail and do some Qi Gong exercises - I had thought it was because it was at the crest of a hill and there was a commanding view of a large expanse of the golf course. Even given this was so, the true reason was soon to be revealed - just as I looked skyward to do an exercise known as "pulling down the heavens" the iridescent form of a humming bird was shimmering in the sunlight as it did a series of aerobatic loops and turns this I must add happened just as a particularly inspiring passage of music from the soundtrack of "August Rush" was reaching a crescendo - I was literally moved to tears, it was beautiful. Now as I said timed intervals, coaches and competition may have their place but for me fitness/wellness is now more about connection. So if you ever want to join me on the trail you are more than welcome - but leave your watch at home!