A Close Encounter With Self

Right now we are all experiencing the world alone together. We are accustomed to looking for answers from government, spiritual/religious leaders, or experts when we have questions, but what happens when these sources are unreliable and don’t have the answers we seek? How do we find peace of mind? The true quantum leap towards growth in our personal power, sovereignty, and a connection with life-source energy is something that we must each find within. Joseph Campbell popularized this idea with what he called The Hero’s Journey. Even when the outside world is filled with chaos, division, and confusion, each of us has the capacity to go inward and cultivate a sense of deep peace. Now is the time for us to do that together.

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. -Joseph Campbell

Sometimes life can be harsh so we disconnect from ourselves and each other. It is great to dream of and wait for saviors but at a certain point we may have to consider that it is up to us to save ourselves. This will invariably require us to hold up a mirror to recognize the depths of our own shadows in order to heal these broken and essential connections.

It is hard to see social media or watch the news without being confronted by the ugliness of what is presently happening in our world and not be engulfed by fear or rage. The temptation to disassociate is always there because the darkness is so uncomfortable. Bearing witness to our collective shadow is the first step on the path that will lead us to liberation in these times. If nothing else, feeling the deep pain within us has the capacity to open up our hearts and awaken a sense of compassion. Are you able to sit with it all, feel it, witness it, and transmute it?

“You have been telling people that this is the eleventh hour.

Now you must go back and tell people that this is the hour!

And there are things to be considered:

Where are you living?

What are you doing?

What are your relationships?

Are you in right relation?

Where is your water?

Know your Garden.

It is time to speak your truth.

Create your community.

Be good to yourself.

And not look outside of yourself for a leader.

This could be a good time!

There is a river flowing very fast.

It is so great and fast that there are those who will be afraid.

They will hold on to the shore.

They will feel that they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.

Know that the river has its destination.

The elders say that we must let go of the shore,

push off into the middle of the river,

keep our eyes open,

and our heads above the water.

See who is in there with you and celebrate.

At this time we are to take nothing personally,

least of all, ourselves.

For the moment that we do,

our spiritual growth comes to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over.

Gather yourselves!

Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones that we have been waiting for.”

- The Elders, Oraibi, Arizona Hopi Nation

If there ever was a time when we needed a collective internal shift then that time is now. It can not be forced either, it can only be chosen by each individual.

If the idea of sitting with all of the current intensity of the world feels a bit overwhelming then you will be glad to know that there is a global community that is sitting with you. We are alone together in this time of great change on our planet. We may each have our own personal journey to make but the results will be felt collectively.

Many may stay distracted by fear, drama, and division rather than doing a deep personal dive. Let us not forget that it wouldn’t be called The Hero’s Journey if it was easy. Choosing ‘yes’ to this journey always awakens our deepest courage and with that comes strength and resilience.

We must learn to stand in support of each other to reach towards our highest potential, while also allowing compassion for our own and each others’ weaknesses and faults. This is called making contact with our deep self and nobody else can do this for you. This is where we find our connection to the planet, all life, and the cosmos that we are part of. As we change our perception and build those bridges of understanding, we change reality.

Humans are filled with creative brilliance as well as a violent, self-destructive side. When we embrace all that it is to be human, we realize that the most primitive and cosmic sides of our being are yearning to come into a greater sense of union. This is where ancient futures are born.

Collective experiments in consciousness and online livestreams continue to inspire us towards a quantum leap. As the world becomes more chaotic we will be grateful to have cultivated the skills to go inward and create peace. No longer can we wait for anyone else to do this for us. Now is the time to make contact with the deepest wisdom within us. This is the path to transformation!