Thank you so much for participating in the Symphony of Truth! It is a deep honor for me to be a part of such a beautiful gathering of loving, wise and creative souls. On this page, you will find my gifts to you: Message from the Wisdom Keeper of Inquiry & Truth, and The Wisdom Keepers Collective Transformation Reading (though shared in 2020, it is even more relevant today!) with its accompanying Supplemental Guide. ENJOY!
Message from the Wisdom Keeper of Inquiry & Truth
My Wisdom Story
As a kid, I’d ask my parents a question, and they’d answer me with logic and certainty. Rainbows were meteorological phenomena, and unicorns were a physical impossibility. But there were still so many things I wondered about. The more my family laughed at my ‘ridiculous’ questions, the more I thought I was stupid.
As a young man, every thought, fantasy and opinion that occurred to me was poured through an internalized critical filter. I constantly doubted who I was, what I thought, what I did, how I felt. And I second-guessed every decision I made, either to a point of paralysis, or regrettable impulsivity. I couldn’t relax until I got to the bottom of things, saw an entire pattern, or landed on an objective truth, which of course I could never find, which made me even more anxious.
So I learned more, and more... and kept my self-doubts to myself. Though agreeable and reasonable in public, I was angry and antagonistic in my intimate relationships. My lover would express a feeling, and I’d be so obsessed with locating the objective truth of the matter that I’d miss the point entirely. I became increasingly
suspicious, always expecting others to disagree, doubt or misunderstand me. I picked fights, got defensive and gathered evidence, especially when they failed to get the complexity of a situation. Though I clung to the thought that someone had to be right, and someone else had to be wrong, it was never that simple.
When my self-doubt got so big that I could no longer sleep or function, I sought out professional help. For the first time in my life, I could openly share about the doubts that plagued me. At first I doubted the counselor could help me, but she hung in there, encouraging me not to act on my doubts, especially when they were at their most intense.
Over time, she helped me appreciate my mind’s unique gift for Inquiry, and to embrace the paradoxical nature of Life. With support, I developed a mindfulness practice. As my mind became a more loving witness, I saw just how many people suffered from self- doubt, and how my struggles to understand were a part of what made me human. Now I help others experience various states of awareness and explore the mystery of their true nature.
My Gift to You
I come to celebrate your love of Inquiry, but also to remind you that your inquisitive mind and gift for doubting are best used in service of the world, not in service of beating yourself up. See if you can remain genuinely curious about life, without insisting on finding answers. Stay open to learning as your understanding of life becomes increasingly complex and paradoxical. Be curious
about your own suffering, for it will open your compassionate heart. One day your brilliant mind will lead you back to yourself. And how could it not? You are forever intertwined with everything you’ve ever learned.
Questions for Contemplation
Are you plagued with self-doubt? Do your self-doubts make you anxious, or keep you awake at night?
Do you tend to feel suspicious of the people in your life, of their motives and agendas? Do your suspicions tend to cause others to be defensive around you?
How could your gift of Inquiry be used as a service in the world? Where has it already come in handy?
What does Truth mean to you? How has your relationship to Truth changed over the years?
Try doubting your self-doubt for a day. Notice what happens, and journal your thoughts.
The Wisdom Keepers Collective Transformation Reading
We are living in paradoxical times. People are waking up all over the world. We’re breaking free of old paradigms and reaching out to each other with enormous amounts of compassion, truth-telling and collaborative synergy. At times it can feel like there is so much to hope for, and to work towards.
And then there are other times... when we look around, and it seems that all we see is suffering, oppression, danger, chaos, disease and corruption. We are experiencing unprecedented levels of divisiveness, injustice, survival threat and sensory overload. Our capacity to open our hearts, calm down our nervous systems, and cut through the noise has never been more tested.
In 2015, when I brought forth the 64 Faces of Awakening (and the Wisdom Keepers Oracle Deck), my deepest intention was to reclaim, reflect and celebrate the soul of the world. I wanted to illuminate the incredible uniqueness of each human being, while also inviting all of us into a deep, intimate experience that could transcend ‘self’ and ‘other.’
In honor of the Symphony of Truth, and in response to what we can easily call a collective crisis (with its inherent danger and opportunity), I have called forth 4 Wisdom Keepers:
one to represent the challenge we’re all facing together, as a human family
one to reflect the desired outcome, the blessing and opportunity that can grow out of this shared crisis
one to reflect the shadow theme that is most in need of our attention and embrace, if we are to meet this crisis with GRACE
and finally, one to show us the ultimate Gift we have the potential to give birth to, in ourselves, and in the world around us
If we’re going to not only survive, but thrive as a species, we’re going to need to learn how to honor and respect our differences, while acknowledging and embracing our interconnectedness. We’re also going to have to learn how to stay grounded, present and caring, even when we’re in the middle of an overstimulating, anxiety-provoking and mind-and-heart-numbing storm.
Together, let's invite in the Wisdom Keepers to help us navigate these challenging yet transformative times!
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