red poppies & daydreams of love…
When the soul awakens to a larger view of reality and we realize that we can change ourselves, we begin to feel both personally and socially empowered. Although we may all feel helpless in the face of the overwhelming magnitude of global problems when individual efforts to make a difference seem so insignificant, we are not merely victims in this world. Social empowerment means responding creatively to whatever challenges we encounter and replacing fear with love wherever possible. New perceptions of possibility for a sustainable society that envision a compassionate consciousness infusing the world, in which love is the unifying force that makes global reconciliation possible, need to be adopted by those who aspire to freedom. Spiritual empowerment that frees the soul implies a shift in perception that invites awareness of love’s presence and sees any situation as an opportunity for teaching and healing. Spiritual empowerment is evident in certain qualities and attitudes, such as a lack of defensiveness, a receptivity to learning, an open mind and an open heart. A person who is spiritually empowered is not resentful or vengeful and is fully present here and now……Frances Vaughan
spiritual readiness finds us on the cusp of a delicious and precarious edge….there are no excuses here….only vision and heartache and sweet, deep love for this awesome planet…graced by the humble yin and yang of commitment to reshape some of our destiny through free will, our boundaries slide past questions of adequacy into deeper autonomy….love leads….
Those who serve most potently work on levels of consciousness that have to do with radiating love- maybe God’s love. My own experience is that people who work with love operate on some level deeper than the conscious. It is important that you have a brain and use it, but that is secondary. The basic premise is that you allow something to come through you. Then you use your intelligence to give your work form, to give your heart’s work discipline and logic. But the transformative energy, that which can change events, that heals, that helps, that serves, comes from somewhere deep inside. Philosophical excursions invariably come full circle to the conclusions promulgated by sages throughout recorded history- the conclusions that man cannot safely ignore the life force at the center of his being, that the dignity of man has its inception in the individual, that man’s security lies not in transforming nature but in transforming himself, and that it is impossible to talk about the necessary transformation without using the word ‘love.’…Norman Cousins
You enter the forest
at the darkest point, where there is no path.
Where there is a way or path,
it is someone else’s path.
You are not on your own path.
If you follow someone else’s way,
you are not going to realize
your potential.
It takes courage
to do what you want.
Other people
have a lot of plans for you.
Nobody wants you to do
what you want to do.
They want you to go on their trip…
…Joseph Campbell
Make Believe Boutique 
I adore you and your blog – it’s my b’day tomorrow and my gift to myself is to change something – your post has fuelled my determination so thank you!
Happy Birthday! I wish you an easy flow of magic, daydreams and rest…..remember to shift gently with whatever you want to change…..honor your special day and your fierce spirit….my birthday book calls Jan. 15 ‘the day of heroic inevitability’…….sounds like a great meditation…..
I really like that heroic inevitability! Thank you.
Although it may be a bit to leave here, your post reminded me of these lyrics – and when I looked to decide which to post, I couldn’t…….. For all those who might criticize their vision, there were/are times when they truly shine. “Ripple” by The Grateful Dead.
If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung,
Would you hear my voice come thru the music,
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
It’s a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken,
Perhaps they’re better left unsung.
I don’t know, don’t really care
Let there be songs to fill the air.
Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.
Reach out your hand if your cup be empty,
If your cup is full may it be again,
Let it be known there is a fountain,
That was not made by the hands of men.
There is a road, no simple highway,
Between the dawn and the dark of night,
And if you go no one may follow,
That path is for your steps alone.
Ripple in still water,
When there is no pebble tossed,
Nor wind to blow.
You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall you fall alone,
If you should stand then whos to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home
I like this but there are errors … I could not take you home, unless that was your will … Namaste … Peter
Nor could I you, tho surely I would take the long way. Ditto. – Bobbie
such a beautiful way to honor the path to be forged…..it’s clear that social empowerment is truly about the freedom to love….thank you for this…..
love……..when all the pieces are settled, tis the only truth…..
Yes people do want you to share the ride, it would seem that they believe they get credits for gathering up souls and turning them in to followers. Without being disparaging ( for I have great respect for his powers) L Ron Hubbard was adept at this, I think he delighted in it. He claimed he would set you free, but I feel it became a trade, took the soul from A and gave it to B.
Such is our journey, the proverbial way of the fool, one who realizes attachment is the anchor, and a non-dual thinking, feeling, loving heart, is the only way back to the garden, and the only way to know it when we get there was to live in duality until it has served us …
another grand irony of life…..the poet knows that the pen is connected to his own heart….true spiritual empowerment…..and yet, to think that another could lead the way can be so enticing…..wanting to please is a never-ending journey…truth leads through love…..thank you for writing from the heart g.f.s…..