Soul Retrieval.

My husband and I have bought a few homes in the last 20 years.  Like everyone else when searching for a home we always choose a city or community we feel we would most be comfortable in; we list house specifics; and when we find something we like we make sure to have the building inspected.  I don’t know too many people who will take the time to knock at neighbouring houses to see if the neighbours are actually friendly.  I’ve noticed through helping KM (real estate agent) that many individuals will move from their homes because of conflicts with neighbours.  It doesn’t matter how close or how far people live from their most immediate neighbours – feuds have existed over territory for millenniums. 

Why is it so difficult to get along?

I often think that many of the conflicts that we have with our neighbours, our spouses, our family members (parents, siblings etc…) and even our children are not about relationships with others; but about how we relate to ourselves.  They are clues so to speak to uncovering the details of our personal story.

The Medicine Wheel teaches each of us to work with “our inner community.”  In some way it identifies “humans or any other living creature on Earth as a collective being.”  Some people may state that “we are naturally multiple”.  I don’t like the use of the word “multiple” simply because it’s used in therapeutic circles to diagnose a condition; which speaks of fragmentation due to horrible, childhood trauma.  The Wheel doesn’t suggest that we “fragment.”  Instead, the Wheel mentions that the soul constantly and consistently searches for wholeness.  In Shamanism we speak of this journey as “soul retrieval.” 

When exploring the idea of “soul retrieval” many Medicine People across the Planet and through time have left us with some incredible clues towards “why?” the soul does this…  One may definitely be connected to trauma.  Lifetime after lifetime we do seem to encounter trauma; which fragments the soul into different pieces.  Yet, one of the most plausible reasons for division is based on natural law. 

I recently took a trip to the Eastern townships, a rural area 40mins from Montreal; which is re-known for being cottage country because it has no black flies and mosquitoes; lots of lakes, mountains and beautiful scenery.  Often when teaching about the Wheel I’ve mentioned how our Indigenous ancestors once used it, as a medium to control and manage pests. 

The magnetic field created by a Medicine Wheel will create a sound and impression, which insects, rodents and other animals will respond to as a claim in territory.  In the Eastern townships a lot of the soil is crystal base so much so that you can pick it up off the ground as if it is gravel.  Clear crystal like the Medicine Wheel will create a magnetic signature:  One of many reasons why there aren’t any black flies and mosquitoes in this region.  Where you can find crystals as big as 6 feet tall in this environment, most of the crystals have been broken down into pieces as small as pebbles because of time and the elements. 

The soul is often referred to as a “crystal” and like the crystals in nature it simply makes sense that time and weather would also divide our soul into pebbles.  One whole crystal will not have the same effect on a mountain as million pieces spread through a whole valley.  I believe nature tells us why our soul divides and searches to retrieve its different pieces through the dreaming.  It seems almost obvious to some degree that the soul searches to explore deeper and deeper the different dimensions of what it means to be collective:  Whole and One.

Crystals live with crystals and they resonate to each other.  It seems at the soul level we as “creatures” also seem to need one another and we also seem to search to resonate.  Where it may take 100,000 years for a piece of wood to petrify or a rock to crystallize, the same natural laws seem to apply to our soul.  I guess we shouldn’t discourage when we explore reincarnation (ancestral stories) and work on ourselves…

In the last 25 years and three homes later – we’ve noticed how we always seem to attract the same kind of patterns around us.  For example, the neighbours on the left side of our home always seem to go through huge renovations during the course of our stay.  Often these renovations are the reason why we move.  The neighbours in front of us are always old.  We usually never really speak to them unless there’s a crisis and we can help.  Death is often what brings these neighbours to move and by the time they sell their house, we’ve already left the community.  Our neighbours on the right are always very talkative and friendly.  Ironically, they always express that they had huge conflicts with the people who lived in our house before we moved in. It’s amazing that every house we’ve lived in has repeated this exact pattern. 

We’ve looked at this waking dream from different perspectives in the last 3 decades. We’ve tried to change the situation by working through some of the issues we were able to pin point.  We’ve changed attitudes and behaviours in hope to make a difference.   When nothing changed we dug deeper and tried again.  These days, we look at these different patterns as details within our territory.  We understand them as characteristics and at some level:  Protection. 

Like I often teach my students – dreaming isn’t only about the messages we can receive and how they manifest in our lives.  Dreaming can also be about connections we have to the land and the environment.  There’s no doubt in my mind that my soul is bigger than a pea size dot lodged somewhere in my cerebral cortex.  The World around me describes it in subtle details and experiences.  Every day is about the Breath of Life and our soul seems to speak through it.

Keeping in Touch

Just stopping by to say: "Hi!"

I've been working on two blog entries; which I'm hoping to publish soon.

It's been unbelievably busy since Jan. 2013.  I've been working on a webpage (idreamer.ca) and teaching classes / giving workshops.  It seems the dream time has been extra lively as well.  I'm hoping to share with you many of the experiences and activities of the last few months.  I just need a few more waking hours each day! LOL

I think of all of you often and hope you have enough material in here to keep you reading...

I'm definitely open to questions, suggestions or comments for future blog entries.  I appreciate your help.

Just wanted to stop by and say: "I'm still here!"

Take care,
LISA

Dreaming Day By Day.

We recently started advertising our workshop in Calgary; which will be happening around the Summer Solstice (June 21^st to 25^th, 2013).   It’s very rare I get involved in the publicity aspect of a workshop mostly because I don’t want to interfere in the experience of building an empirical Wheel.  We forget that everything we do in life refers to a Sacred Circle.  Constructing a Medicine Wheel doesn’t only refer to the process of finding stones; seeking out a power spot; and then, laying down a Wheel transfiguration.  Even organizing a Medicine Wheel workshop is about building a Sacred Circle. 

The Medicine Wheel is often referred to as a self-originated ceremony.  Basically what this implies if the Wheel is a representation of every detail within our daily living is that each of us are different and depending on our perspective we’ll all solve problems differently; face crisis or good fortune differently; or ultimately, live and die differently as well.  Gérard and I always teach or speak of the Medicine Wheel, Indigenous Dreaming and Shamanism.  Yet, most of our workshops are organized and prepared by third parties:  People who have their own ideas and perceptions of the Wheel; and obviously, their own expectations.  Since the Medicine Wheel as a science speaks of magnetism, I’ve always been amazed and fascinated at what can be magnetized by having different people setting up the Wheels. 

I guess some people would say it’s all about intention; but we’ve (G and I – and other enthusiasts) come to observe that many Wheels don’t manifest intention; but basically manifest what people need to learn, to heal, and to grow. 

There’s a huge difference between what we’d like to live

and what is necessary for us to live.

Through exploring sacred site Medicine Wheels we’ve noted that sacred circles are intricately connected to natural and cosmological influences.  There are so many great examples showing how the Wheel is a conduit of sorts for natural realities to manifest.   A great example was at one of our Great Gathering workshops almost a decade ago. 

The title and theme of this four-day experience was: The Dance of the Thunder Dragon.  It all started with the intention of teaching the value of sound and dance to the concept of Shamanism, initiation and ritual.  The woman who was organizing the workshop at the time was passionate about Tai-Chi; and Asia.  She managed to get access to the Tai-Chi centre in the countryside near Montreal to host us. 

At some point during the workshop while everyone was separated into teams and busy in all four corners of the estate a beautiful sunny day suddenly turned into an unexpected storm.  Dark clouds came over the valley while a group of participants were building an outdoor Wheel and devoting to a ritual power hunt.  The rest of us were watching up the hill near the cottage.  Just as the thunder started the wind quickly came up as well, and the clouds began to move.  It seemed like it was almost rehearsed and synchronized because nature followed the story; which was playing itself out bellow.  One of the participants was acting out a dream where she was a deer running away from a hunter.

People started screaming from everywhere: Down bellow, at the meadow and on the hill.  We were quite a large group: 35 people. Everyone saw the clouds literally become the form of a menacing and hunting – Black Dragon.  It was unbelievable.

The individuals in the Circle bellow later said: “It felt as if the Dragon was coming right at us. It was scary.  We had no idea anyone else could see this.  We thought we were the only ones somehow living through a deep trance state.” 

Soon the rain began to fall and everyone was running for cover.  For those of us up the hill, near the cabin it was as if we had imagined the scene as children do when they see shapes in the clouds.  Half an hour later, the sun returned and we gathered together to discuss the event.  The room was buzzing with excitement.  Every perspective from the four corners of the estate brought the story together and suddenly gave us a completely different understanding of the main theme: The Dance of the Thunder Dragon.

No matter the conference or the workshop it seems the organizer(s) and the dynamics of the group are instrumental in the uniqueness of the experience; the kind of phenomenon that manifests; as well as the type of learning and healing that occurs.  Every single workshop is different and yet, what Gérard and I bring to the plate is usually the same.  It seems our role is mostly as container, stability, safety, consciousness and skill.   Like the making of a Medicine Wheel it takes different conditions, different details, and different participants to create a magnetic field; which will allow deep connections, deep learning and healing; and inevitable transformation. 

This is where I would add some testimonies…  I think every workshop offers powerful experiences; which leave a memorable impact.  I look forward to reading some of your comments.

Moon of Inter-Relations.

I don’t think there’s anything more difficult and yet more rewarding than relationships.  In the Christian Church when you get a child baptized the priest, the pastor or the minister will tell parents and god-parents to nourish their children with love, discipline, routine and spiritual guidance.  There’s an expectation or request that family members and even congregation members commit and devote to the next generation.

“Get involved in your community.  Contribute to the World around you.  Give the best of yourself to your family and your people.”

It takes a village to bring up a child and this, is certainly a theme Christians take to heart.

People are often surprised when I speak in a positive way about Christianity.  There’s this assumption or perhaps even expectation that because I follow the Shaman’s path I should be at war with all Religions.  During a recent visit to Concordia University, I received an interesting apology from one of the students.  This young lady approached me at the end of the evening, and explained to me how she was extremely loyal to the Christian Church.

“I almost didn’t make it to tonight’s presentation,” she told me, “because I feared it would be seen as some kind of betrayal against my own faith.”

It was obviously something that meant a lot to her because she whimpered through her story.  She was genuinely distraught.

“Shamanism isn’t a Religion,” I told her while grabbing her shaking hands, “you don’t have to worry, you haven’t betrayed anyone.  Shamanism can actually be found at the roots of all Religions.  Religion at some point was meant to complete the shamanic experience the same way that Shamanism often completes religious ways today.”

Two other students approached while I was sharing these facts and seemed relieved by them; but each from different perspectives.  While one young lady struggled with loyalty and commitment towards the Church; another student seemed completely against the idea of religious institutions.

“I’m hopeful,” this other young lady announced tainted with a little anger, “that the future may hold less people who blindly follow Religion.”

The third student, a young man replied: “I may be insensitive; but I don’t really care about what others think of me or my beliefs.  I just want to have a space where I can express myself without being persecuted.  I like the idea of having many Religions or many perspectives coming together.  I like the teachings of the Medicine Wheel because they seem to be saying: All perspectives have a place and have equal value.”

On that note I walked away with a smile.  Sometimes I wish we could give weekend retreats and allow the students to speak more; question more; and explore more of their thoughts, their feelings, nature and the stars. 

It’s definitely something to organize in the future.

Inter-relations on the Medicine Wheel speak of relationships not only with humans (or any other external reality like animals, trees, objects etc.…), but also with different dimensions of the self or the dreaming.   For example, I was in Montreal today with G because of a doctor’s appointment.  Spring was definitely in the air with +10 degrees Celsius, beautiful sunshine, and clear sidewalks (no more snow).  G often relates to the World around him through stories.  He’s an avid reader and a movie enthusiast.  There’s no detail around or within him that doesn’t trigger some reference to some movie / storybook scene.  It always makes me chuckle when G speaks of his car as the Enterprise (from Star Trek); or takes note of people in a crowd according to particular movie characters.  I can’t wait for the Hobbit to be out of movie theatres…

Me on the other hand seem to come from a more “macabre” (as Gérard pointed out today) perspective.  Death is more often than not my point of reference to pretty much everything. I found out today that G has never been to a funeral and has never had anyone die in his life.  Of course this little detail came up after I mentioned this long list of personal observations relating to death.  Interestingly enough, how we relate to each other connects to how we relate to ourselves and to the world around us.   Inter-Relations suddenly touch different realities or different phases of our journey and our development as collective creatures.

The Moon of Inter-Relations; which is the 7^th Moon on the Medicine Wheel is more then just about how we get along with people.  It’s about how we relate to the World around us; which means that it’s about how we were brought up or how we were conditioned.  When I look back at my childhood and adolescence I can already see how I related to myself, and others.  47 years later I can pat myself on the back for many major changes in my life; but I can also see that there is still lots to learn.  It seems relating to the World is a continuous and perhaps infinite journey.

Nostalgia and a University Education.

Every year for the last 14 years, we’ve been guest “lecturers” at Concordia University.  Yesterday, while driving to the University, G and I were sharing EM some of the stories; which occurred in past classes. We seemed nostalgic even with the landscape.  G mentioned every restaurant we had the misfortune of eating at during the last decade.  I had ingestion just thinking about it.  As EM mentioned during the evening – “she was a spectator-virgin” – and was looking forward to seeing us in an experience different then that relating to workshops and circles (ceremonies).  

So far the feedback has been:  “Impressive and I liked it!!”  (LOL)

AL our host and professor at Concordia repeats every year that it’s difficult to describes what we do; and to basically prepare the students for the experience.  AL has often said throughout the last 14 years: “He feels blessed to know us and wants to share these blessings with others.”  Neither G or I give much value to compliments; but since we’ve been around to witness AL’s journey and we’ve had the pleasure to receive some of “his students” in our community we can say that his statement holds power and offers new perspective each time he says it…

So thank you!

Last night was extra powerful. 

There was lots of reference to the fact that we’ve been around for the last 14 years.  G mentioned on a few occasions during the evening that him and I don’t believe that the past, present and future fits on a line.  We are strong believers of the Sacred Circle and see time as fitting on a Wheel.  We believe that every day we can have access to the past, present and the future and because of this it increases our ability to manifest hence change things…

R one of the students who was invited to participate in one of the Wheels told us he was somewhat distracted and upset.  It was difficult for him to be completely present to what we were about to put in motion.  I asked the student at the start of the class to be honest about their emotions, their stories, and their state of minds.  Openness was key to participation. We were quite impressed with R because he told us quite naturally how he was feeling in the moment.  After a few questions we found out that many of the students had just recently received marks to an exam and some of them weren’t too happy with what they got.

To show the class the value of seeing time on a Wheel, G invited AL, the professor, to participate in the first shamanic experience of the evening. 

G explained: “This is the first time in 14 years that we invited AL into the experience.”

AL nodded and confirmed the statement. 

G opened up a discussion between R and AL.  Soon both student and professor were talking about marks and how unfortunately necessary for school they are not a good indication of a student’s potential; but often simply reflect how we feel in the moment.  We discovered during the course of the evening how a good majority people felt incompetent, lacking in self-esteem, insignificant in the grand scheme of life and even completely lost.  Making decisions towards the future was difficult.  G had to push people to dream and to envision the possibilities.  Basically or especially from a shamanic perspective, there were lots of skills missing in preparation for tomorrow.

No doubt we’ve forgotten to prepare our kids to many of the challenges of tomorrow and maybe we’re not supposed to…

“Tomorrow is built right now,” G stated, “tell me what you would like to see happen…”

“I’d like to be able to redo the test,” R announced after a short silence.

“You got it,” AL responded. 

And for a moment everyone stopped breathing.  R jumped in amazement and I asked: “Had you not thought of asking for a remake?”

“No!” R admitted honestly, “I just didn’t think it could be an option.”

There’s what the students see and then, there’s what G and I see.  It’s cool to be able to show people how valuable it is to “work together” and to work according to the way of the Circle.  R was standing in the South of the Wheel during the whole experience and AL was standing in the North.  It was cool to see the teachings come to live.  To see that when we sit in the South we look at ourselves in wisdom and in destiny in the North.

I pointed out to R that one day he would be AL and that this moment in time would be his future.  For a moment I repeated over and over again how he stood on a line where past, present and future were manifested now…  It was amazing how R struggled with the idea and yet, took a moment to stand in the experience.  He truly allowed his “moment” to show him the way.  He accepted to earn his second chance and pass the exam.  He even accepted that moment in the future where he could be someone else’s role model.

“You are better then the mark on that exam,” AL said and everyone agreed.  Now all it takes is for R to take up the challenge and prove it.

There were lots of great lessons and great experiences all through the evening.  This story is only one of many.  I love going to the University every Spring because it allows G and I to see our Circle of past, present and future.