Lately, I’ve been meditating on Bee and Robin energy, enjoying lots of direct experiences with my Nature friends. Has anyone out there every observed a Bee and/or Robin just being themselves? I get a buzz and naturally a high flyin’ just thinking about it–without getting stung with a hangover from eating a bloated worms! It’s good medicine to let seep in like herbs on one’s journey in healing. Bees remind us to check our activity level, bee productive and also stop and smell the roses (ah, even if it means sneezing a bit folks). What good is hard work if we don’t enjoy the fruits of our labor? Moreover, Robin also hints at birthing something new in one’s journey, symbolizes creativity and helps us tap into being daring, developing sound communication skills and an ear for musical appreciation. Ever ponder why Joker accused Batman of being too serious and Robin was nicknamed “Boy Wonder”?

Did anyone see the Full Moon recently? Although the Moon was cloaked behind the clouds in my neck of the woods, it was still there lurking behind the shadows, illuminated by the Sun, in much the same way as the Sun has been hiding behind the rain and clouds these days. I look at this form of chiaroscuro as a powerful metaphorical juxtaposition of light and dark and lens to look through the prism of life. In every breath we take, there is both a death and re-birth, in much the same way as our internal and external dying old worlds collide with a budding New Earth. The more we resist the old ways, the more toxic, maladaptive and deeply engrained behavioral patterns repeat themselves. However, the more we focus on saying yes to what is, let go of what was and embrace come what May, then the more in alignment we stick in the shifting gears of Nature. I understand how seductive it is to operate on an unconscious automatic pilot, recognizing the “better the devil you know” gods that many folks still worship. But why not surf with the waves and ride the tides of change, rather than fight the forthcoming changing weather patterns? Besides, I’d rather not feed the internal nukes, angry wolf and/or rabid nervous woodland creature (NWC), if you will. Rather, I’d like to cut back to Inner Peace on a dime, in much the same way as Barry Sanders cut back to the open field during his professional football career. In this process, we all help co-create the critical mass that will come about as we hoist our sails and stay buoyant in the waters of life. Just imagine. . . “I hope someday, you’ll join us . . . and the world will be as One.”

In the spirit of dark clouds and allowing the light to illuminate the shadows, I recently had the honor and privilege of participating in the NAMI walk to raise awareness about mental illness. Although it’s been almost 20 years since my mom died of suicide, I felt her living spirit with me on that walk. Moreover, I felt God’s hand gently guiding me along that walk, connecting with just the right people, hearing and saying just the right words at just the right time. I even witnessed my garage band friend running to catch up to me. Seeing my long-haired band mate was particularly a treat, given both his natural Turtle energy and my being surprised that he was there in the first place! Given his natural talent for drumming and percussion, he’s a good reminder for me to slow down and pay attention to my own internal beats, given one of my totems is the Hare and my propensity to be trigger happy. In my gift of gab and bald head, we make a nice yin and yang, as his presence in my life has been a good reminder to trust telepathic and other non-verbal mediums of communication, rather than relying exclusively on language and intellect. How many folks do you know that speak eloquently and are well versed in social graces, but you get a gut feeling they’re full of it? How many folks have you met that say little or nothing, but they carry a presence that makes you want to yield to their energy in a respectful way–and when they do say something, even a word or a sentence speaks volumes?  Who knows, observing Seagulls in their natural environment might speak volumes about non-verbal forms of communication, as a way to connect with others without talking.

More importantly, one of the folks I met on that walk was a women whom was walking in memory of her friend’s teenaged son whom sadly suicided last year, leaving behind only a note that he was “curious about the other side” and of course a “trail of tears”. Although I can relate to his desire, I wish he had allowed himself the patience to explore the shamanic death without dying experiences. But that can be a difficult place for sensitive folks in this “world of 10,000 things”. However, one simple strategy to experience death without dying is meditating on Groundhog medicine to understand a deeply restful experience and perceive that re-birth that can spring from the wintery slumber. I know my mom felt shame about her dark side. Hence, she tried to hide it, rather than embrace, integrate and weave her darkness into a balanced fabric of her Inner Tapestry. Striking a balance, learning moderation and letting go of attachments is an ongoing process in becoming a New Human. Regarding the curiosity of the inevitable physical death, the ultimate reality is that we will all experience it at some point. While we’re still breathing, why not work toward the goal of consciously living (and enjoying) life and have a joyful exit strategy that is natural and respectful to self and others. As a survivor of a completed suicide, I know deep inside that pain is inevitable, suffering is a choice and taking one’s life not only creates more pain, it foments more suffering, not less. Everyone who knew my mom has struggled with the turmoil she left behind, which was sobering to her for a spell. While working through her provocative avoidance tactic on “the other side”, she was asked to complete her “homework assignment” in helping other Souls work through their confusion. Besides, there are plenty of dead men (and women) walking out there . . . “you got to be a spirit Bullworth . . . don’t be no ghost.”

Additionally, on a more upbeat note, staying alive, walking in meditation and the realm of spirit is merely a fresh step and breath away, if only we allow ourselves to slow down, keep our tongue on the tip of our mouth, remember to breathe, let our breath sink in our gut and just watch our thoughts and emotions like a movie and/or listening to an i-Pod, CD, etc. Perhaps when the i-Bots come down the pike, they’ll be able to thermo-image this for us, but I’d rather learn to perceive my own auric-energy field. Besides, the inside-out perspective buys me time and saves me money. In this way, we become more tuned in to a “Theta” brain state, as measured and labeled by Western Science. This is the same sublime experience the Sages and Avatars on our planet and Jedi’s from the Stars Wars saga intimately understood. And you can “be the change you want to see in the world” by accessing your own Sage within. True, the voices of the God of Opinion, the God of Judgement, Doubting Thomas and the Cynic probably have dismissive attitudes and clever excuses why this is impossible, not worthwhile, irrelevant, not practical, etc. However, if I can do it, anyone can do it and I am living proof it is possible and worthwhile! I came into this “world of 10, 000 things” wound for sound, chock full of high octane impulses, sensory integration issues, a propensity to have my head in the clouds and extreme sensitivity to the myriad distractions around me. I remember when I was on the NAMI walk, I accessed this coping strategy, while walking behind folks moving much slower than my natural pace, as I acutely felt the vibrations of the construction drilling, planes flying overhead and sensing other people’s “Chi”.

Finally, regardless of what’s going on “externally” around me–cutting back to Inner Peace is merely a moment away if I remember to turn inward and watch my “inner space” first and foremost. In this way, a New Earth is built one step, one breath and one moment at a time. If not me, who . . . if not now, when . . . as within, so without . . . as above, so below . . . you dig?

Peace,

Ari