God bless you Hendrix.
Are you live, or are you Memorex?
Your oozing twang-jive that you bled back then
is a whole-blood transfusion for my head.
Electric riffs rip my seams.
My skull peels apart, banana splits for the brain.
I’m stripped by your soul.
I listen naked to your howling legend.
I howl too.
You get me Jimi.
From jagged fang to soft underbelly,
My parts are just as feral as yours.
______________________________________
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I recently had the opportunity to interview Mike Bastine, a Native American Algonquin, who has been speaking about the necessity of re-connecting to Nature as a means to reform consciousness. It was an utter delight to spend time with Mr. Bastine, and equally uplifting to share common views with him. He’s got revolutionary insights anchored in ancient wisdom. Perhaps his words in this interview will contribute to your own conscious-reform for the better. Or, perhaps these views might maintain your own re-connection to the Mother (Nature). Enjoy!
Mike Bastine, Algonquin Elder
The landscape cracks open like an egg in my view. The bright orange yolk of sun hangs, suspended in the albumen of a clear liquid sky. I’m driving along a curvy route to a quiet rural town to meet with Algonquin visionary and educator, Mike Bastine.
On the drive, the scenery unfolds like a Monet; billions of auburn-amber leaves splatter like dots on the rolling hills of Autumnal glory. It’s a two hour drive, stuffed with Natural beauty. The soft ride offers ample opportunity for me to ponder the upcoming meeting with Mr. Bastine.
Although diligent about suppressing any kind of pre-conclusions about this interview, electric expectation still amplifies my anticipation. I am meeting a Native master of tenets that have ignited my own elevated understanding; tenets essential to the broader soul-growth of so many people over human history.
My time with Mike Bastine, however, produces no glamour. No spiritual huff-n-puff. No fluffy clouds filled with insubstantial vapors about spirituality. Rather, Bastine proves to be a Plymouth rock of foundational wisdom. He radiates reverence for simplicity. He is rooted in the value of rekindling the heart of humanity; encouraging attunement with the energies of Nature, love and respect. No fancy juju; just bare-boned wisdom, exposing a soulful, nurturing marrow.
My car pulls into his driveway. Beyond the weathered, wood-clad exterior of his home, rests acres of maples waving goodbye to their own falling leaves. Rows of cornfields maze the back yard, their husks brown and crinkly, jutting up to the glassy sky.
My ears perk, hearing a yawning creak from the front screen door as I gather up my notebook, camera, and recording device from the car. It’s Mike Bastine walking out to greet me.
Mike’s Native blood etches clear evidence of his Algonquin heritage in his appearance. His skin is naturally tawny, obviously unaided by the sun’s tanning effect, especially as winter begins her progressive swallowing of solar rays. His hair is long, pulled back in a pony tail. It shines in onyx iridescence and reminds me of silky crow feathers.
He welcomes me with a smile; a smile that equals the cheer reflected inside his home. I struggle to pull off my boots before entering. “Oh no, you don’t have to do that.” Mike says, chuckling, as I almost topple over. ”Keep those on. Stay warm. Snow and mud aren’t sticking to the bottoms of our feet just yet.” We both break the initial conversational ice by agreeing how mild this year’s autumn has been.
Mike and I sit at his kitchen table. Pens and pencils stand at attention in a clean white cup, anxious to be put to use. Books and papers are neatly stacked on the table too. Mike thoughtfully pulls out a few of the many articles written about him for me to read. He pauses for a moment and pulls out a few books for me to look at too.
Pam, Mike’s wife, offers me a hot cup of green tea and a cinnamon pecan danish. I’ve just met these people, but it feels I’ve been a welcomed visitor in this kitchen for an eternity. Time is irrelevant. Indeed, the energy of their home is timeless, comforting and tremendously safe. I am calm, I am at home in their presence.
The black pot-belly stove churns out its warmth as Mike begins to do what he does best: Weave his spoken words into exquisite tapestries. Native wisdom is his loom, and Mike threads rich value into each sentence spoken. His voice is a smooth, lulling tenor and his words are framed in the rhythmic compassion that steadily beats within his heart.
For decades, Mike Bastine has travelled the US and Canada speaking about the wisdom of his Native ancestors, illustrating how Native ways are a catalyst for healing, renewal and reconnection to a higher way of living life.
“I’ve been bringing up a few terms in my workshops lately.” Mike begins, his soft brown eyes sparkling. “Terms we all learned in early schooling. I ask people how they feel about the phrase ‘Divide and Conquer’ and most people tell me it’s kind of a standard of life today.”
Mike explains that the modern Western civilized mind has been trained to weed out ‘weakness’ and conquer life by working hard at maintaining status quo. “Mainstream thought mostly adheres to popularly accepted, spoon-fed education and doctrine.” He says in his sing-song dialect. As Mike talks, my understanding lulls into compliance with his argument with this commonly accepted phrase.
“Today, most people’s perception of strength and weakness is skewed. There’s more strength in the gentle than there is in the bold. Gentleness accumulating over time – that’s where the power resides.” Mike taps his calloused-covered fingertip on the Xerox copy he gave me of Chief Seattle’s speech. “That’s part of what Seattle is saying in this address.”
Mike closes his eyes, and I wonder what scenes are playing beneath his eyelids. “The idea of ‘conquer’ is equally misleading.” He says, “What is there to conquer? If we each lived aligned to our True Nature, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation!” He pushes back a bit from the kitchen table after finishing this thought, as if sitting objectively – seeing a broad view of the human condition from his wicker-backed chair.
“The idea of ‘divide’ is just an illusion. Nature shows us different. Nature shows us progress only comes with inclusion, acceptance, absorption. Nature shows us surrender. That’s what evolutional progress is about.” Mike lets out a lightly exasperated chuckle, with a slightly discernable shaking of his head.
” I ask these same people in my workshops how they feel about another common phrase we’ve all been taught: ‘In God we Trust.’ I get the same kind of mental agreement. But I have to question this. How can we believe in ‘Divide and Conquer‘ and ‘In God we Trust’ at the same time?” Mike’s passion about these points of contention is clear, but his core demeanor does not waiver. He remains solidly anchored in a place of peaceful contemplation as he speaks to me.
The Algonquin Elder continues his thought-stream about Western culture’s unconscious acceptance of these two statements. “How can we be divided and yet trust in one God? This mentality is where the breakdown of disconnect to Nature stems.” Mike says softly, sad kindness lacing his voice. To him, unity is a far more viable solution to living a life of true freedom.
Mike leans forward on the kitchen table to drive his point home: ”Prior generations had Elders to teach us about relationships. Primarily the marriage between humans and this planet. But now those teachings have fallen by the wayside. This causes separation. We have become distanced from the higher wisdom of Nature, love and goodness.” Mike further contends this disconnection has lead to an inflammation of humanity’s highest conflict: The conflict between the heart and the ego.
“We must think independently. We can’t think what we’ve been educated to think, because it’s not what this life is about. We must observe what’s going on today and rejoin the ranks of our Elders who looked to Nature for assistance with answers.”
Mike Bastine gently illustrates how many of today’s youth are no longer educated by their Elders who have been steeped in the nurturing, honorable ways of the Great Spirit and the ways of Nature. Today, our youth are educated by capitalist systems whose primary impetus for functioning is money and conformity. It’s a disturbing observation. Mike points out a fundamentally flawed educational system that produces fact-filled sheep, designed to follow (and not overthrow) the powers that be, namely, the government. More unsettling, is the valid observation of mass-media’s role in raising our youth.
“If we look at the bigger picture of what’s happening around the world, and we see the events – how they connect. How they unfold. How they evolve. We can start to see that disconnection is the source of great upheaval.” Mike’s hands are upturned; his arms slightly raised in a supplicating gesture as he utters these words. He speaks like a man who sees problems and feels frustration because he knows how simple the solutions are.
The furrow in Mike’s brow smoothes back into its customary serenity as he expands his revelations: ”This disjointed gap….the inability to connect human thought and behavior with the deeper functions of Nature….this is the sole flaw that prohibits the flow of peace.” This flaw, Mike explains, is aggravated by the lack of unity and acceptance being taught by our modern elders, who are our politicians, educators, doctors, etc.
“I wish there were little manuals written about how to be a good human. How to make choices that honor and respect our world and all that lives in it.” I nod my head and smile, thinking about how Mike’s ‘How to be a Good Human’ manuals might not be the most ideal replacement for wise Elders in our modern-day global tribes. But, I silently agree these manuals would be a good start at defining simple steps for reconnecting to the Golden Truths inherent in every human heart.
”When enlightenment dovetails and becomes manifested into the outward happiness of being, do you think something like the definition of ‘a metaphor’ is essential to sustaining that education? No! It doesn’t take rocket science to gain a higher education. This is about human interaction conducted with respect.” Mike makes this statement with conviction backed by the wisdom of his lineage. His faith in the cathartic, healing practice of unifying with the foundational energy of Nature, humility and honor is unshakable.
As Mike Bastine carefully crafts his words and purposefully narrates his perceptions, I recognize him as a visionary educator. Why? Because he can see into the human heart and there he greets only the heart’s inherent potential for goodness in spite of the presence of malignant understanding. It takes a visionary to see the spiritual gifts hiding behind ugly curtains of the ego.
I get the sense that Mike is not entirely aware of his ability to overlook the presence of fear feeding the human heart. His unsinkable faith in each human’s inherent goodness overrides the presence of fear and pain glaring back at him when he speaks about ‘consciousness-reform.’ In every word and movement, it’s apparent Mike knows the path to higher societal evolution is born from virtue and devotion to the grounding cornerstones of Nature.
Mike continues his mission to reveal the true values indwelling every heart, and how each heart is hard-wired to reconnect with all life in loving ways. His unwavering belief in human potential makes him both a visionary, and an exemplary educator in the realm of thoughtful unification with elements of life that truly matter.
The warm bubble of the Bastine’s hospitality cannot be popped as I drive back to the pointy edges of city life. The yolky sun is pressed behind me now, enhancing a sense of warmth and nourishment. Driving back the way I came, my mind turns with the soft curves of the road as I think about our discussion.
My intent for this piece was to capture the essence of Native American wisdom; writing about how the ways of Native Elders provide healing to the human heart – - healing wisdom that prepares each of us for future global shifts we are all destined to experience in the process of living life on this Earth today.
But really, after listening to Mr. Bastine, my lofty intent dissolved into particles of more substantial import. As the hills of the countryside roll behind me, I think of Mike’s parting thoughts:
“The value of simplicity. The value of independent thought. The value of re-connecting to Nature and its wisdom. These are small, incremental choices of honor we can all choose to make. These are the functional building blocks for re-connecting to life’s vitality.”
Ultimately, Mike Bastine helped me understand that it is not so much the intellectual or spiritual path we choose, but how we utilize our faith and educational choices - that is the true catalyst for global unification and peace. Essentially, every moment is an opportunity to ‘Unify and Conquer’ rather than divide and perish.
Other pages of interest:
Algonquin Zodiac Signs (written for TokenRock.com)
Nature Symbols for Inspired Living
Silly Bands and Animal Totems
I got the low-down on silly bands from my niece, who gave me this one – a Dragon, who happens to be my predominant animal totem.
Now, I’m not big on extraneous consumerism. I prefer to keep my personal adornments and purchases as pure and simple as possible. However, I can see some pretty practical uses for silly bands in relation to our animal totems.
To explain…
Life is replete with distractions. There’s so much going on in our modern lives. Busy-busy, push-pull, tag-your-it.
If your days are potentially crammed with complexity like mine are, then perhaps you’ll agree it’s good (indeed, even necessary) to keep reminders close by. Reminders that ground us, and redirect our consciousness back to the pure vitals of life like: Compassion, Dynamism, Expansiveness, Balance, and such.
I have tattoos that serve as permanent reminders of these things and more. Photographs plaster my office-studio walls serving the same purpose.
Imagine my surprise and delight when this tiny silicon silly band fulfilled the same function.
Every time my eyes catch sight of this little guy, I return to my core – a place in which my Dragon’s crave for me to stay rooted. Why? Because being rooted in the realms of our animal totems manifests superior benefit for them, ourselves and our society.
Just thoughts…an idea for triggering awareness back to your ideal, totemic core.
That said, a special thanks to my niece for this wicked-keen gift! ;)
Other pages of interest…
Tips to Knowing and Re-Connecting with Your Animal Totems
Animal Totems (a whole heap of ‘em)
Meditation is Symbolic Too
Meditation is symbolic too. I’m not just talking about the journeys and impressions received during meta states. I’m talking about the act of meditation as a symbolic event.
Why?
Because meditation is an engagement with the aspects of ourselves that dance with powerful intagibles of higher experience.
The act of meditating is a signal to our expansive selves that says: “Oy! It’s ok to play now! Let’s party in the dreamtime! Let’s fly! Let’s create! Let’s experience everything without restriction!”
As a practice, meditation is symbolic of:
Do you meditate? What does the act of meditation symbolize for you?
Other posts you may find interesting…
Finding Alternate Methods of Gauging Progress
As I was driving a friend to the airport, the dash on my Jeep went dead.
It’s not uncommon for this to happen after the Woodchuck Incident of 2001 (the fuzzy booger had lunch on my electrical wiring).
My friend noticed the glitch and said: “Avia, your dash is dead! How can you possibly know when to shift (RPMs), or how fast you’re going, or even how much fuel you have? Isn’t that frustrating?”
I hadn’t really given it much thought. Every time it happens I remember the Woodchuck wisdom, and smile.
Moreover, this ‘driving blind’ thing is kind of a practice in gauging my awareness.
When the dash goes kaput, I’m forced to monitor my surroundings more acutely. For example, I pay attention to the speed of the other drivers around me to keep my own speed consistent and within legal bounds.
As far as shifting gears…I just listen to the engine of the Jeep, and it tells me when to move up a gear. ”Besides,” I say to my friend Dave, “who uses RPMs on the dash as a signal to shift gears?” I ask Dave. ”I do” he shyly confessed.
The fuel gauge, I’ll admit, is another kettle of fish. I just try to keep the levels in my memory banks (which are predominantly fried like my dashboard, but that’s another story).
My point is this: We are never ever completely ‘driving blind.’ There are always additional methods to gauge our progress along life’s path.
Some of these methods might not be our first choice, but when our primary navigation systems are malfunctioning (or seemingly nonexistent), we can always manage ourselves with alternative methods.
Do you rely on a primary system that monitors your personal progress?
Has that foundation/system ever run amok?
What are some other methods you could employ that help you keep your pace, and allow you to keep your progress?
Better yet, try incorporating awareness and other alternative methods in your daily routine.
Run your day “outside the box.” Switch gears and gauge yourself in different ways (before your fall-back system takes a dive).
Just thoughts.
The following is an excerpt from Rob Brezny’s book, Pronoia (a book I highly recommend, by the way). This excerpt was written by Nia Fil, and it moved me for its sincerity and simplicity. I asked Rob Brezny of Free Will Astrology if I could re-publish this excerpt here, and he graciously granted permission. I hope you enjoy this enlightening slice of perception as much as I did.
Frosted Glass - Melting Glass Walls of Separation
MY PRONOIAC TESTIMONY
by Nil Fia
I’ve always felt there was a glass wall between me and the world — a see-
through barrier that kept me in my place and everything else in its place,
never the twain shall meet.
But a week ago, as I was driving through the streets of my home city of
Detroit, something odd happened. I seemed to reach out an inner finger
and touch the inside of that glass wall I gaze through. And for the first
time ever, my finger sunk into the glass, just a bit.
A little while later, I did it again, and this time my finger went right
through the glass. Or rather, maybe, the glass was not there, at least
momentarily. There was no longer any boundary between what I saw and
where I was seeing it from.
In other words, the whole world was inside my head. Either that, or my
head had just dissolved.
Let me backtrack. A few months ago, I hated my job. I despaired that my
hobby would ever amount to anything. There was never enough time, and
whatever time there was, I spent it trying to get done all the things I
hated doing but had to do. And then I failed at the whole enterprise, and
not only didn’t I have time to do anything I liked, but I wasn’t getting
anywhere with the stuff I didn’t like, either.
Life was one big miserable chore that never ended. It just bled from day
to day, sucking the vitality out of everything. Even weekends. This in
spite of the fact that I’ve never considered myself a miserable person. I
always thought that being annoyed 24/7 and never having time to be
happy was part of being an adult, and I tried to handle it bravely.
But then on that day last week, I put my hand through the glass — I still
don’t know how — and suddenly the way the morning sunlight lay on the
overpass during my way to work cracked a big smile on my face, and the
whole miserable commute seemed worth it.
The next day, I spent a chunk of the ride to work looking at the trees, and
being thrilled that so much amazing greenery, so many unreproducible
shapes and colors, could fit in my head at once. What used to be “just
another tree” was now an utterly unique thing that I would never have the
gift of having in my head again.
This new knack didn’t go away. It started creeping into other daily
moments. I’m still moving in and out of it now, many days later.
It’s not that stupid things make me happy; it’s that everything makes me
happy. Taking a breath makes me happy. Hearing a human voice makes
me happy. Feeling my hand rise up against gravity and sweep through the
air on its own makes me happy. Yesterday this state — which I like to call
“bliss fugue” — came on after I whacked my knee on the table. The pain
made me happy! Happier than maybe I’ve ever been!
Here’s the weirdest thing about the happiness: It seems completely
uncaused. Not only do my flashes seem to exist in a vacuum. I would
swear the feeling seems to be a characteristic of the vacuum. The
vacuum I refer to, of course, is the sucking of myself and the world into
each other that happens whenever I penetrate that glass wall between us.
I’m truly content folding laundry. I happily concentrate on every spot on
my dishes. Not all the time, but more and more. And it seems the more
stuff gets through the glass wall — the more the world becomes
immersed in me and I in it — the less time everything takes, and the more
I enjoy the “free time,” 10 seconds of which suddenly seem like enough
to justify having been alive all these years.
This is one of those “I might be doing something right, or I might be
losing my mind” things, but I’ve done those before; so I’m cool with it.
But I will mention one side-effect: mild fear. Not during the state itself –
I’m not sure it’d be possible to feel afraid then, though I haven’t had
occasion to test that — but afterward, as I connect to the realization that
something is happening to me that might really muck around with my
ordinary old life. (Did I say above that I was miserable with my daily life?
Well, that doesn’t mean I’m not attached to it.)
Already once or twice I’ve done this thing and had people notice, and
their reaction is always alarm or distaste: “Hel-LO? Are you OK? What are
you staring at? Is something wrong?” So far, this has always snapped me
right out of it. I don’t know how I’d react to people if this state continues
to happen more frequently and for longer periods, and I get stuck dealing
with people from within it. (Would I then be talking to the voices in my
head, I wonder?)
I’ve also noticed that when the bliss fugue hits me, tears sometimes come
out of my eyes due to the weirdest things: the smell of the wind, a bird
that stops and looks at me, a shoelace lying on the sidewalk. I can’t
explain that. I’m not normally an emotional person, especially not in
public.
Well, there you go. Something for your Outlaw Catalog of Happiness: the
Joy of Nothing. ;) I’m going for a walk now, and see if I can do it again.
Note: This is an excerpt written by Nia Fil from Rob Brezny’s book, Pronoia (click the link to grab the book, which is totally grab-worthy). And if you don’t know who Rob Brezny is, you should. Check out his wicked-awesome-jump-jivin-vibe here: FreeWill Astrology
Personal Views on the Responsibility of Symbolic Interpretations
I’ve been offering perspectives into deeper symbolism for years. Understandably, I’m constantly called upon to provide symbolic interpretations and personal consultations. Although I do answer as many emails as I can (mostly referring inquirers back to the 1000+ online pages I’ve already written) about varying forms of symbolism…I feel a nagging discomfort with it.
This baffles a lot of my friends and colleagues. They ask: “Why don’t you offer a symbolic consultation service? You could help so many people. You could make a great income and profession from it!”
That’s true. Except…I have major moral conflicts about a) charging for interpretations and b) having the weight of this responsibility on my shoulders.
In a previous life (this life, but seemingly so long ago it feels like a different life), I served in the medical field. At that time, I was a witness to new lives being born. Conversely, I was witness to lives transitioning into so-called “death” too. Each moment in my medical career proved overwhelmingly crucial and stood as a reminder of the responsibility involved with the process of healing the human condition – physical and spiritual. I know those of you in the healing profession can relate 100%.
Some may argue that offering symbolic interpretations is not a life-or-death business. I dunno about that. I’m not so sure human energy differentiates between physical and non-physical. We’re all an amalgamation of varying forces, entangled and interconnected.
Perhaps one day I’ll evolve into a state of being that allows me to offer personalized readings, but for now my perspective is deeply planted in the contrary.
Why?
Because I’m not convinced it’s my responsibility to tell folks what a symbolic phenomenon means to them, or what kind of message it holds. I always figured this is the responsibility of the one encountering the phenomenon…not me.
So, I continue to offer personal observations online about symbolic meanings. But these are only my perspectives.
The real key to lasting soul-evolution is deciphering symbolism for ourselves – to our own personal satisfaction. Of course, there are situations in which an outside view is required. But the majority of the work in understanding ourselves, our lives, our collective consciousness is up to each of us. That’s why I’m forever touting the value of personal responsibility in interpreting symbolic events.
Furthermore, our awareness would not be drawn to a symbolic event if we ourselves were not equipped to interpret it. It may take an investment in time, meditation, awareness, focus, research, patience, etc., etc….but I’m resolute in the knowing that every symbolic episode is unique to each of us. Likewise, the meanings are unique and therefore the interpretations require personal reflection first and foremost.
Trust in the process. Trust in your own ability to make sense of the deeper meanings that are inherent to life. That’s what living a symbolic life is all about.
Be determined in mining for meanings in your own inner caverns of knowing. You will reap gold eventually, and that’s a promise.
“You are not alone.”
Some of us know this instinctively. We feel the presence of supporters – as close to us as our skins, as intimate as the inhalation of air.
Whether we call them gods, goddesses, angels, higher selves, animal guides…by whatever name – we are aware of intangible energy buoying us with assurance and support.
However, others of us feel a ring of isolation, preventing us from feeling that consistent presence of energetic support. Some of us incorporate techniques, rituals or healing habits in order to gain etheric unity for the purpose of becoming saturated by the varied presences of the divine.
I was philosophizing on this with a friend of mine. We discussed varying reasons why some people - even if they’re locked in a box on some remote island – will tell you they are never alone. Why can some people feel the presence of supportive energy no matter how removed they may be from everything? Conversly, why do other people feel completely remote, and unable to grasp the presence of divine help, healing and guidance within their midst?
Those who find themselves feeling hermetically sealed in a vacuum of solitary confinement may wonder what the trick is to ripping off the lid and encountering divine accompaniment. How to feel the buoying presence of profound support on a daily (or even moment-to-moment) basis?
Pulling ourselves from the attic of our minds helps. Walk “downstairs” into the body.
That means making connections with movement, breathing, heartbeat. It means listening to our own blood as if it were an exotic music. And if it is music, then we must acknowledge a composer, a conductor and a collaborative orchestra rendering that specialized music from within.
Each cell within the body represents an individual life. We forget the billions of individual consciousness’s residing within ourselves because they function so elegantly as a whole.
To be sure, the body is a multiverse and tapping into that diversity of consciousness is a vital step to feeling less of a stranger in a strange land.
One of the most (deceptively) simple ways I’ve found to dissuade the mind of its separation is to draw attention to the wilderness within the body.
Try it some time. If you’re feeling that ring of isolation squeezing the joy from you, and you’re seeking divine connection and communion – try a dreamtime ride within the subway system of your arteries. Listen to your aortic tympani. Start a discussion with your intestinal bacteria (don’t laugh! They can be stimulating conversationalists!).
My point is this: Indeed, we are inseparable from all manner of divine energy whose presence and purpose is to accompany each of us on our life-journey. Being alone is an impossibility.
Nevertheless, some of us feel the austerity of seclusion more often than divine companionship. So, if that’s the case with you, I’m suggesting a move out of the mind and into the body. It’s an effective first step to becoming intimate with the reality of inclusion and consistent support.
Seeds - A Symbol of Consciousness?
Last night, in the dreamtime, symbolic seeds were sown into the meaty furrows of my brain. Their manifested identities known only to my deeper consciousness. It was a fabulous sensation. The grey matter of my mind seemed willing, pliable and moistly awaiting the first touch of root to mental-membrane.
A good dream. An oracle of potential growth. A sign of depositing new ideas into old rows with the hope and promise of a bumper crop of…of what? Creativity? Productivity? New kinds of nourishment? Food for a hungry mind? New neuro-network patterns?
Who knows. Dream-walking advances at a far different pace than common ambulation. That means, I’ll have to walk calmly between multiple time-lines to see the cycles of growth these dream seeds represent.
But in the meantime, while I’m weeding, feeding and cerebrating over these dream seeds, I thought I’d sow a few symbolic thoughts on seeds as a symbol of consciousness.
Traditional symbolic meaning of seeds include:
Several years ago, while dining with a colleague, he asked: “What’s the symbol for consciousness?”
In response, I pulled out a pen and drew a single dot on a paper cocktail napkin.
“That’s it?” He asked.
“Yep, that’s it.” I said, “The dot represents a single point of awareness. It is, essentially, a seed. It is the point of pure potential. This present moment of focused consciousness gives no clue as to which side of the polarity it leans. There is no gender, no higher or lower, no light or dark. It simply is.”
My colleague protested: “But isn’t consciousness expansive? Pervasive? Everywhere at all times? This dot, or seed suggests limitation, and that’s not how I see consciousness.”
I loved this observation, and after pausing a moment to let his implications sink in, I responded:
”Yes, I agree with your model of consciousness. However, I chose this dot to represent a seed as a symbol of consciousness because it is the point of initiation. Awareness must be initiated. And the concept of initiation is inherent to the ancient symbolism of seeds. So, it’s the idea of initiation…specifically, initiating the potential that is powerfully packed in a small unit (a dot, a seed) that I’m emphasizing here.”
I was reminded of this conversation when I woke from my seed dream.
Those crazy brain seeds! That tiny dot drawn on a cocktail napkin. A single unit of initial potential!
These images made me want to become that dot…to become a seed and
Just thoughts. Thanks for growing along with me..
Other symbolic seeds for your consideration:
Six Simple Steps to Interpreting Dreams
Had she known from
the Beginning that
Life is like a
Snake…
Turning and twisting
through the years of
Life…
Shedding its skin,
just as we all shed
extraneous layers….eventually.
Had she known
both Life and Serpent are
synonymously elusive,
equally cryptic.
Had she known all this,
perhaps
she would not have been consumed
or constricted by the coils of Life.
But rather,
she would have
snatched the serpent firmly,
by the jaw -
twisted hard -
commenced skinning it with infinite care,
crafted a fine pair of
snakeskin boots…
And then gone square-dancing in them.
—
In memoriam for Miranda 11/11/72 – 5/03/10.
May your next life find you unconstricted and kicking up your heels. ;)
Symbolic Meaning of Beetles
I received an inquiry about the symbolic meaning of beetles.
Realizing I haven’t written much on beetles, I thought I’d share my insights here.
Suggested symbolic meaning of beetles (at-a-glance):
Beetles speak to us of groundedness. They move with bellies always close to the earth, and so their wisdom is sacred and deep. They are connected to the core of earth, and so they are rooted in their knowledge about the way of life and nature.
Beetles also talk to us about steady, gradual progress. Observing them, they do nothing without pragmatic, methodical movement.
Beetles impart messages such as:
Beetles also remind us of the simple things in life, and point our attention to the magic in the small. A friend of mine, Kim Gould at www.loveyourdesign.com says this: “allow yourself to be tamed by the small and gentle.” Beetles can tame us because of their simple, unassuming presence.
The symbolic meaning of beetles also offers protection. Their own hard shells do more than just convey glimmery beauty. They protect. And so, the beetle (in countless cultures, particularly Asian) is considered a symbol of protection too.
The colors of your beetles will also offer meaningful messages.
For example, greens talk to me about the heart chakra which is the center for healing, love and compassion. Blue hearkens to the throat chakra which encourages creative expression and vocalizing our real truth…our genuine truth…I’m not talking about speaking a false-truth like “I am sick” I’m talking about the real truth that recognizes inherent health & well-being indwelling the body/soul at all times.
Beetles also reminded me of the Egyptian scarabs which are all about building our best, most incredible opportunities from the poop around us. :)
Other areas of interest:
Insect Totems and Insect Symbolism
Crank your speakers…
Rock on.
 | Sun in Gemini 16 degrees |
 | Moon in Sagittarius 8 degrees |
 | Full Moon 15 days old |
