As I was going through things in my packing to move, I ran across an old suitcase in the attic. I opened the rusted hinges to discover a treasure trove of items mostly from my high school and college days, but some from later. Old pictures, gifts from friends, my graduation certificate. Quite a walk down memory lane.

Amongst the treasures were several books, one of which was Accept This Gift: Selections from A Course in Miracles. The inscription was from a friend who didn’t sign their name, but dated it in March of 1989. I had no idea at the time what the Course in Miracles was, and don’t recall even reading any of the passages of the book. I picked it up and it opened to the page on “Teaching and Learning”. The words were never truer for me than right now. I’d like to share them with you…

Teaching and Learning

Listen silently
and learn the truth of what you really want.
No more than this will you be asked to learn.

There is no need to learn through pain.
And gentle lessons are acquired joyously,
and are remembered gladly.
What gives you happiness you want to learn
and not forget.

On your learning
depends the welfare of the world.

Everyone teaches,
and teaches all the time.
This is a responsibility you inevitably assume
the moment you accept any premise at all,
and no one can organize his life
without some thought system.
Once you have developed a thought system
of any kind,
you live by it and teach it.

The question is not whether you will teach,
for in that there is no choice.
The purpose of the course might be said
to provide you with a means of choosing
what you want to teach
on the basis of what you want to learn.

The course emphasizes that
to teach is to learn,
so that the teacher and the learner are the same.
It also emphasizes that teaching is a constant process.

Teaching and learning
are your greatest strengths now,
because they enable you to change your mind
and help others to change theirs.

Remember always that what you believe
you will teach.

“As you teach so will you learn.”
If that is true, and it is true indeed,
do not forget that what you teach
is teaching you.

What you teach you strengthen in yourself
because you are sharing it.

You will not see the light,
until you offer it to all your brothers.
As they take it from your hands,
so will you recognize it as your own.

Any situation must be to you
a chance to teach others what you are,
and what they are to you.
No more than that, but also never less.

Teach no one that he is
what you would not want to be.
Your brother is the mirror
in which you see th image of yourself.

Everything you teach you are learning.
Teach only love, and learn that love is yours
and you are love.

Teach only love,
for that is what you are.

Love to all,
Marilyn

A month or so ago, I was encouraged by my Horse as Teacher book series business partner, Kathy Pike, to call Beth Karish, a woman who helps clients play in the quantum field of possibilities.

Horse as Teacher: The Path to Authenticity

Horse as Teacher: The Path to Relationship

Kathy said that every time she had worked with Beth, she had received invaluable information for her next step on her path. I found that to be true for me as well.

In my session with Beth on the telephone, she used a combination of shamanism, quantum physics, Matrix Energetics, and intuition to help me see more clearly what had been rumbling around in my mind, but that I hadn’t gotten completely clear about. The question I brought to her was if we should do Book 3 of the series now, or wait.

After a few questions about what the first two books taught me and how I had gotten out of my flow, she asked me, “What if you re-awoke to the wonderment of the world?”

Well, that certainly evolved the conversation into something much larger than whether to do the book now or later. Beth shared that the image she was getting was of me standing on the edge of a cliff and Spirit whispering to me, “Jump!” and I say, “I can’t!”. Spirit says it again and I resist again. Finally, Spirit pushes me, and lo and behold I have wings and soar above the abyss.

She said, “You do better in the  unknown. You like it on the edge… That gets the passion going. So stop resisting, and jump!”

Beth nailed it on the head. What I realized was that I wasn’t afraid to jump into the unknown; I had been fearful of letting go of what I had built over the last 12 years, of not using my mastery of writing and helping people get published. More specifically, I had been stuck in a place of scarcity, that I would lose my income if I switched to doing Shamanism full time, or writing my own book, or…

Then it hit me, while I love helping others, and have based my life on the idea that you get everything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want, I had forgotten to help ME! I’ve been putting my writing and message aside to help others, and that was taking away from expressing my genius and passion. Spirit had been giving me every opportunity to help myself, but I wasn’t seeing the support. I was stuck in scarcity, instead of gratitude and new possibilities.

There was a paradigm shift for me that day. I needed to manifest a way for me to share myself in ways that fulfilled me first. Only then will I be able to passionately help others in a way that really supports all of us. What a difference in perspective.

Last week, when I realized I’d be leaving the Raven Lodge, I was surprised by my acceptance of that reality. I thought I’d be devastated, but instead, I’m excited about the new possibilities. Beth was correct, I do better in the unknown. There is a new playground out there, and I get to explore it. How blessed am I?

What’s most fascinating is that ever since that logjam of letting go of what I thought was what I had to do broke open and I accepted the new direction, prosperity has been flowing my way. Money is showing up in ways I never dreamed it would. Little and big things every day are validating that the direction I’m going is right and true for me to follow my passion and share myself with the world.

I feel a vibrational resonance that I haven’t experienced for years. Obstacles are disappearing and the right person, thing, or understanding is coming to me exactly when needed. I’m back in the flow and loving every minute!

My greatest hope is that everyone is able to experience this feeling in their life. It truly is a great playground to play in!

From my heart,

Marilyn

So much has happened in the past two days. Not only am I moving from The Raven Lodge, but I found out yesterday that my space at Healing Waters & Sacred Spaces will not be available after the end of the month. My belief is that spirit is directing things, and this is another sign that dramatic change is meant to be for me at this time. I can resist the signs, or pay attention and go with the flow. I prefer the flow.

This morning I drew the Counting Coup card from the Sacred Path Cards: The Discovery of Self Through Native Teachings deck by Jamie Sams. The idea of Counting Coup has been skewed over history to mean scalping. This was not the way of the Native people, but came about from those who sought money from the wealthy settlers . Originally a way to honor the victory over an enemy or challenge, the traditional Native prizes were horses, weapons, Medicine Bundles and Medicine Shields. Scalps were not honorable prizes before the Europeans came here.

The Counting Coup card signifies Victory. Ironic, since it seems I’m actually losing a lot. But as I read on, it says that I have overcome a long-time challenge. To me, that is the shedding of old habits that no longer serve me, of changing long-held beliefs that hold me back.

The card represents “forward movement and the acknowledgment of right action. You have been true to yourself and are being rewarded for staying on The Sacred Path.” In dying to my old self, in changing my acceptance of my path, of letting go of trying to control what happens, I have been released. I feel a paradigm shift not like any I have experienced.

One of the basic tenets I’ve learned on The Shamanic Path is to look for signs that provide direction, understanding, and many times validation. That can be in the form of seeing a hawk and paying attention to what messages are coming my way. Or to see a heron and know that I must be focused and attentive. To read a card and understand a different perspective on what’s happening in my life. To have money come in unexpectedly, and in just the amount needed to move forward. Like breadcrumbs on a path, these signs lead to new views, new beliefs, and new cycles.

I woke this morning with excitement and realized that for the past year and a half, I’ve been waking with dread, not knowing what was coming next. Now that I’ve been released to a new adventure, I am energized. I’m ready to step off into the abyss and find a new landing. The signs are all there. It’s my role to pay attention to where they lead.

Aho!

Marilyn

Since the Raven Lodge has been on the market for almost a year, I’ve had some time to develop alternate plans should it sell. Last October when I drove from Texas to Oregon, I realized how much I enjoyed travel and adventure, and how infrequent my road trips had become. A few days before I had left for the trip, I had pulled out all of my journals from years past to review as I write my book. After I returned, I dove into reading them. Lo and behold, I read time and again how travel, photography, and writing about my journeys was what I hoped to do with my life. The pieces started to click into place.

I said then that if I had to move, I would sell as much of my belongings as possible, move the remainder into storage, and hit the road. I’m fortunate that my business is portable. As long as I have cell phone coverage and an internet connection (which is also through my cell plan), I can work from anywhere. As I’ve planned my route, I will be able to visit family, friends, and colleagues across the U.S.

What will I be writing about? Last week, I went to see a speech by Grandmother Agnes, one of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers.

The next night, I watched the movie that told of the origins of the Council, and showed the history and way of life of several of the women. Grandmother Aggie’s message is of the importance of water in our world, and how we need to join together to create a vision and be a voice for the voiceless — the earth and all its silent relations. This 86-year old, great-great grandmother is traveling the world, meeting with those who influence change and those who are making change happen. I was inspired by their vision and their energy.

Well, as things go, I realized that The Shamanic Path is not only a metaphor for my spiritual journey, but is also a way to view those things that we can change. On my journey, I would like to discover and visit sacred places, people, and actions that are supporting the message of the 13 Grandmothers, and then to document them in this blog, by pictures, by video, and to raise awareness about what we all need to do for us to alter the direction we are headed.

That’s why I’m excited about the changes that are happening. I’d love to stay here at the Lodge, but I feel deeply that I’m being called to do more. As I see more and more things falling into place and  the doorway opening to step through the threshold on a new journey, I am even more trusting that spirit is helping me see my path more clearly.

And that’s just what I’ve been asking for in my prayer tie ritual each morning: “I am grateful for your gifts, your guidance, and your protection. I ask for your help so that I can see my path more clearly, to remove all blocks, limitations, and fears, and to step forward with grace, ease, love, joy, and prosperity.” Even though it was not what I imagined, it’s all perfect!

So, join me on the adventure. I’ll keep you posted on progress.

Aho!

Marilyn

I received the sad news today that my beloved Raven Lodge has been sold. At least an offer has been made on it. I am sad, for sure. And yet, as I hiked down to the river past the thunder of the waterfall near the covered bridge on the trail down to the Sandy River that I’ve come to love, excitement started to creep in to my senses. I hadn’t realized until then how much energy was going into hoping I could stay here.

Although the depth of sorrow isn’t the same, losing the Raven Lodge feels like losing a family member to a chronic illness. When my father died after 25 years of battling Parkinson’s Disease, living much longer than the doctors predicted, there was relief despite the sense of loss and the vacuum-like ache of his absence. It was not welcome, but inevitable and necessary, and as such the logjam of emotion shifted. It is much the same feeling today.

Along with my holding all that energy in my body, I realized that I have effectively been scheming my Plan B and I’m actually pretty excited about it. That Medicine Wheel card I drew yesterday (see post) portended change and movement. My trust in the spirits is blossoming, as I feel more and more energized that this is all good. I’m not sure exactly why, but I’m more sure than ever that the spirits have my best and highest purpose in mind. It must be because I’m looking forward to the change, instead of back with any regret.

Fog at Sunset from the Raven Lodge

Tonight, as I sat out on the old wooden bench overlooking the creek, the river in the distance, fog filling the spaces between the lines of trees covering the side of the mountain, each layer darkening against the sunset, a bright crescent appeared behind the leafless yellow poplar.

Crescent Moon

The moon is in a new cycle, a sign to me that all life continues as everything and everybody moves inexorably through each phase on our path. The scene reminded me of one of my most loved sayings… “The moon never meant to reflect on water. Water never meant to mirror the moon.” With acceptance, each moment is perfection.

The whisps of low-hanging clouds morphed in the view, looking like silk scarves blowing in the wind, although the air was still. I viewed the panorama, breathing in the earth, filled with gratitude for this moment, and all of the moments I have loved and enjoyed while here.

I have been given a gift by having this time at the Raven Lodge, of seeing the earth and all things more clearly. Of realizing what beauty and abundance I have in my life. Of what’s important, and what I want — and don’t want.

In this time, I have been dying to the old, shedding the cocoon. And I am ready to step into the next cycle of my life… to become the butterfly.

Plan B? Stay tuned…

M.

What’s uncanny about drawing the Sacred Path Cards: The Discovery of Self Through Native Teachings by Jamie Sams each morning (see yesterday’s post for more about my ritual) is how accurate they are for what is happening in my life and where to place my attention and intention.

This morning, I drew the Medicine Wheel card.  The Medicine Wheel or Sacred Hoop is used by indigenous cultures around the world to signify the cycle of life, the path we travel in our lives. Each of us passes through each direction on our journey in life.

The directions that I have been taught start in the East (some cosmologies start in the South). The East is where the sun rises, the beginning of the day/life/season. East is a place of inspiration and illumination. The animal associated with the East is the Eagle, for its vision.

The South is the journey in life, just as the sun travels through the sky. This is the fullness of life, finding perspective and clarity, of transformation and growth. The animals in the South are Coyote and Snake.

The West is the place of introspection, of going inward to digest the lessons of life. Bear is the animal of the West, as it goes into the cave to hibernate. Mastery and healing are found in the West.

The North is the place of wisdom and gratitude, of the ancestors and elder energy. The Buffalo is the animal of the North. In this part of life, we teach what has been learned through the cycle of life, and prepare for the passage of spirit to return to the source to return once again in the East.

If you look at the Medicine Wheel in 3-dimension, there are also the directions of Above (Sky), Below (Earth), and Within (Great Spirit). These are the 7 directions of the Medicine Wheel.

This morning’s lesson points to a time of change, which has never been more true in my life. In the past year, I have died to so much in my life. As I approach my 50th birthday in May, I have been letting go of regret over past mistakes, losing weight, getting in shape, shedding friends who do not uplift me, clearing my clutter, moving away from the material things in life that cause so much stress in acquiring them. The list goes on.

What the Medicine Wheel has always shown me is where I am in the process. I feel like the last 2-3 years I have been in the West, in a cave of introspection. Stagnation is over and old patterns are changing. Like the cocoon of the butterfly, I am in the chrysalis stage, preparing to emerge. It’s scary, and exciting, never a dull moment.

The Medicine Wheel assures that life continues. The quality of the next direction depends on me, my actions, and my attitude toward new growth. I’m excited to become the butterfly!

Aho!

Marilyn

Every morning I have a ritual. For years, I thought I could do without having this routine in my life. But I have seen the tremendous benefit from taking 15 – 30 minutes to meditate on a subject; thank the spirits for their guidance, protection, and gifts; and pray for what I want to have happen in my day. What I have been doing recently is upon waking, I will read a book on spirituality, personal growth, or some other forward-looking writing for 5-10 minutes, then sit down at my altar and pull a card from the Sacred Path Cards: The Discovery of Self Through Native Teachings deck by Jamie Sams.

Sacred Path Cards by Jamie Sams

These cards are an invaluable tool for spiritual growth. The cards help cut through the illusions of self and the world. They provide a reflection of what’s happening in life. Jamie Sams writes insightful stories that provide a perspective on Native American culture, history, ceremony, and ritual, as well as specific lessons for reflection. Her work focuses on bringing balance back into our lives.

After reading her card and meditating on its message, I tie 7 prayer ties for each of the directions: East, West, South, North, Above, Below, and Within (see my post on the Medicine Wheel). Eventually, I am guided to burn these prayer ties to release their energy to the universe.

Since I have been following this routine, my life has dramatically changed. I’ll share with you some of those changes in these posts, as well as daily insights from this ritual. If you’d like to follow along, subscribe to the RSS feed in the upper right corner of the blog page and you will be notified of any updates!

Tomorrow, I’ll write about the Medicine Wheel and the Cycles/Movement of life.

Aho!

Marilyn

In the nine years I’ve studied Shamanism with Jan Engels-Smith, founder of LightSong School of Shamanic Studies, I have witnessed an ever-increasing shift in the willingness of people across all beliefs to talk more about their spirituality, about energy frequencies and how they affect what we create in our lives, and about a need to strengthen our connection with what I call Creator Energy (God, Spirit, Source, or whatever you choose to use to describe that energy). Even media icons like Oprah are regularly discussing these changes. Although everyone uses different metaphors, archetypes, mythology, symbols, rituals, ceremonies, etc. to connect to the Creator Energy, we are all, ultimately using the same basic principles to reach our higher purpose by how and what we create in our lives.

This blog is meant to give you different perspectives on how energy works, mostly from a Shamanic perspective, but also incorporating understanding from the different belief systems my path has revealed to me. I will share resources, insights, and observations that I hope will stimulate your creativity and transformation as our world moves to a new paradigm of consciousness, discovering new ways of utilizing energy to make change within, as well as changing our world.

Welcome to the Journey!

Marilyn