You can sense it in the collective -- fear, anxiety, questioning. We hear it, see it, feel it all around us in these days in which seemingly 'solid', invincible structures and systems are crumbling from within and without. Like the Titanic, the so-called 'unsinkable ship', they're not staying afloat.

Whether we're looking at the not-too-long-ago rumblings that shook the Catholic Church and the Enron-esque falls of celebrated marketplace 'heroes', or the more recent quakes that shook the Titans of Commerce on Wall Street and elsewhere, that which seemed credible, reliable, and invincible, at least by materialistic or Capitalist standards, is buckling from within. Things that seemed beyond reproach or question have proven otherwise; things which seemed solid have proven hollow.

These external happenings are mirrors of internal quakes that bring us to question things we'd taken for granted, things we assumed, things we knitted our identities and worth or value to, things we gave massive amounts of our time and energy to, and perhaps even things we thought we could truly trust.

Having old assumptions, beliefs, and priorities shaken to the core always feels dangerous and radically unsettling, and it is -- to the part of our smaller selves that has learned to equate our value to tangible, impermanent constructs, and learned to place our confidence in shakeable things. But confidence built on such ground is like a house of cards built on sand in the path of the incoming tide.

What rests beneath the shakeable, though -- what is revealed after the shaking -- is that which we truly are, and can truly trust.

Read the full entry at my Sophia's Children blog.

Blessings on the Way,
Jamie

I wanted to pass along news of this wonderful co-creative project from WiseUSA, engaging good-juju allies from all places who are moved to envision and empower a more heartful, constructive vision (and outcomes) during and following this U.S. election season.

Blessings,
Jamie

WiseUSA 08: Honoring the Heart and Soul of America

This week, the Center, along with a number of partner organizations such as Common Passion, World Peace Prayer Society, and more, launched a six-week event called WiseUSA 08: Honoring the Heart and Soul of America, an exciting non-partisan program to bring the world together in meditation and prayer during the US election season. Our purpose is to call forth wise leadership from both US politicians and citizens, for the benefit of the entire Earth community. Here is the core intention we will be holding during this time:

We the people,
the ancestors of our great, great grandchildren,
call forth the deepest wisdom and the highest compassion
from the heart and soul of America,
for the benefit of the entire Earth community
and the next seven generations.

May Wisdom Prevail in the USA
May Peace Prevail on Earth

We’ve had two “talkcasts” so far this week (you can listen to the recordings by going to wiseusa.net), and on Monday, October 6th, I will be hosting the next call, featuring Sharon McErlane, founder of Grandmothers Speak (www.grandmothersspeak.com). Other talkcasts next week include Marianne Williamson (Oct 8), and Corrine McLaughlin (Oct 10).  On October 15th, I will host again, this time interviewing James Twyman. Then on October 28th, during our 13-day Intensive program, I will speak and lead a meditation on the theme “Listening for Sophia, Feeling for Kwan Yin,”  in which we will explore and call forth the Feminine dimension of wisdom and compassion on behalf of the USA and the entire earth community.

Here are some additional WiseUSA 08 details:

- The 13-day Intensive Program, from October 25 to November 6, will span the time before and after the election, and will offer teleconference/webcast programs in addition to mine, by David Spangler, Elizabeth Tobin, Swami Beyondananda, Joseph Giove, Dattatreya Siva Baba, Rev. Ellen O’Brien, the GCSA Wisdom Circle collectively, and more.

The full schedule of talkcasts (which are available via webcast as well as by phone), the speakers for each one, and other events can be found here: http://gaiafield.net/events/wiseusa-schedule/wiseusa-talkcast-schedule.

Greetings, allies and co-creators!

I just posted a new Ivy SeaZine, themed 'Culture, Crisis, and Opportunity'. Here's an intro and a link:

In these times of change, when systems and institutions seem to be crumbling, and fear and anxiety seem intense, it's helpful to remember that seeming crisis can also be an open door that invites us to unparalleled opportunity for birthing something more beautiful, inspired, and loving.

We have a choice in how we see and perceive -- crisis or opportunity, resisting change or flowing with it, limitation or an invitation to unveil hidden potentials and capacities?

Rather than isolating ourselves from connection and community -- which is a 'default reaction' when we sink too deeply into fear and anxiety -- we can choose to open up, expand, seek allies both seen and unseen, both within and around us.

Often, even a shift in our perception invites a whole new range of synchronicities and openings before us, and we're able to see what wants to be born even as something else might be dying or falling apart.

The old systems, organizations, ways of working and so on are wanting to crumble because something else wants to be born. There is never death without something else being born, or rebirthed anew -- energy is constant; it just changes form.

Read the full Ivy SeaZine on Culture, Crisis, and Opportunity.

Joyful Blessings,
Jamie

These days, it's vital (and deep practice) not to get caught up in the mass-hallucination of what's gone horribly wrong (and it's a compelling case!) -- and the collective fear, anxiety, and 'ancestral dread' -- but rather to cultivate and revere a vision of what's possible, what's beautiful, what's abundant and Earth-friendly -- and where that's been the case in our deep history and ancestral memory -- when we're in balance and right-relationship with all that is.

We know that matter follows energy, be it the energy of our beliefs, thoughts, words, or actions. In this way, our word is magical, acting like 'strange attractors' around which matter organizes itself. Wherever we allow our thought and energy to focus, or to languish, we'll see that reflected in our experience, or our perception of it. As in martial arts traditions, we strengthen whatever we focus on and give our energy to.

Recently, a shamanic-practices teacher reminded us that if we don't begin each day with an intentional choice of what energies and Spirit helpers we want to call in and align with, we'll find ourselves calibrating to the predominant thought-stream of the masses. And she asked, "And what do you think they're thinking - what do you think the primary energy is focused on?"

Mother Theresa of Calcutta, not long before her death, also emphasized the 'deep practice' of minding one's word, energy, and focus. When asked if she'd attend an anti-war rally, she said, "No, but when you hold a pro-peace rally I'll be there."

It's a powerful choice, to see what is and to choose to orient towards that which is beautiful, joyful, well, harmonious, loving, in right-relationship, and benefiting all beings. And don't forget the spirit of playfulness and joy - the Trickster and Wild Woman can be divine allies in times such as these, showing us how to combine playfulness with revelation and wise action.

We can cultivate our energy focus, intention, and word-power in our morning and evening rituals, and in small ways throughout the day. While seemingly humble, it's a powerful contribution and service.

Blessings on your Way!

Love, Jamie

Greetings, all!

I recorded the latest InspiraLogue today, and was joined in dynamic dialogue by  Barbara Wilder, healer, teacher, speaker, writer, and author of Money is Love and Embracing Your Power Woman.

Barbara and I took a joyful dive into graceful and courageous transformation, power dynamics, Love, Grace, and the great opportunities facing each one of us. And, as always, we had a lot of fun.

Pour some tea, pull up a chair, and listen in for inspiration.

Love and Good-Juju Blessings,
Jamie