Table of Contents

2. Of Small Ponds, Coffee Houses and Other Fishy Things

3. Reflections of Pagan Pride day

4. On Being Human

5. Upcoming Events

6. Resources

Community, Fellowship, or Tyranny

Lately I have seen small groups of people begin to band together in a grassroots way around a common purpose to SHARE ideas and talents with each other for mutual support and encouragement. A small group of people form a truly open Art Guild in one city that has been dominated by a RECOGNIZED art guild for many years that has become an exclusive club for the few, in this same community a group of wordsmiths are gathering momentum to share with everyone and gather in a local park. A Fellowship is defined by Websters as a community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience. There is that word again COMMUNITY. So, lets put both of these definitions together and we come up with a new definition for Fellowship. A group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society who come together to share that common interest, activity, feeling, or experience. This begins to sound a little like the definition of a society, which according to Webster again is defined as as an enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another.

Here then is my proposition, there is no difference between community, fellowship and society as long as the society does not impose its will upon another – Tyranny. A society or fellowship that honors this definition would be one that honors, respects and lives diversity. It would not matter what color, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability one demonstrates as a restirction of their opportunity within the group. The Great Spirit, God, Goddess, Chaos, Nature, would be equally honored and respected by all members of the fellowship as this is what breathes life into any group. No one view, religion, spirituality or language is inherrently better or more right than any other. In fact it is in our diversity as individuals that we grow stronger, more tolerant and more healthy.

As I am observing these things and participating in them here in the Mid West of the United States I am sure, intuitively, that there are other areas of the world that are experiencing a similar phenomenom. We will not be squashed, silenced or forced to surrender to the forces Tyranny.

One such group of individuals got together recently at Pagan Pride Day. This was an awesome event that showed individuals of different affiliations can get together and share time together. There were many different paths in evidence, not just pagan ones. Even a nearby group of "traditional" individuals spoke highly of our workshops, respect for the land, and the behavior of the children.

Personkind (so as to not be gender specific), will survive, adapt, and continue to integrate in peaceful and joyful communion with each other one fellowship at a time. It is slow and unstoppable. One group can never impose their will for long on another. Only in fellowship and respect can we all abide well on the Mother’s Earth. Yes, I am a Pagan, so what, we all wish to live. I do not presume to know anything for another person, I am an observer, and a participant in the world. I choose FELLOWSHIP – what do you choose?

Of Small Ponds, Coffee Houses and Other Fishy Things

Today, any search on the Internet brings a host of articles by individuals with diverse views on any topic. As an example query your favorite search engine for “spiritual enlightenment”. Everything from the far right to the far left of the spectrum. We are beginning to learn that the old adages are dying.

Honest conversation about differences are excellent, after all (forgive yet another platitude) Iron sharpens Iron. If an individual is not secure enough in their own framework then how can they disparage anothers? Growth is always painful, ask any mother of a teething infant, without it we all die.

I propose that one can seek the divine within themselves to find the divine that is the greater whole. Wholeness is, for me, the goal of being on this planet. It doesn’t matter what an individual pursues, just that they pursue it and don’t expect me to follow it. Each individual walks their path, if one is lucky enough to find that someone else is on the same path great – that is called community. Communities come together as a way to mutually support, love, and encourage each other. The universe is the biggest pond we know, we are all small fish. Every-time we attack another we bring down ourselves, waste energy, and time that can be better spent on growth, just look in our own backyards.

So, let the ego go, we are all very small fish in a very big pond.

Reflections of Pagan Pride Day

As I spent the day walking around and talking with people I was gratified to see many different paths represented. All of us got along well, shared food, conversation, and talents, without regard to race, religion, or creed. I personally received many gifts from a Sufi, and Pagans.

During the Sufi led discussion, we did Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and Islamic prayers and songs that were a delight to everyone.

Children were face painted and even a few people who were just in the park for the day got their faces painted and listened to the workshops.

As I reflected on the openness of our gathering I decided to investigate the statistics of non-traditional "religious" affiliation in the USA. According to the US Census Bureau from 1990 to 2000 there was an increase of 348% in the number of individuals who chose a non-mainstream religion, (see figure 1 below).

Figure 1

This is very encouraging. As so many people are still in a quandary as to whether or not to tell family, friends, or co-workers of their non traditional spiritual path, it is getting better. In fact, I would not be surprised to see an increase of similar nature in the 2010 census.

SO, stand tall, be of good cheer, join your local meetup and support of your spiritual and religious belief. After all, for the most part, we all are walking similar paths, toward our own connection with God/Goddess/Allah/Universal Consciousness/Buddha Consciousness/Christ Consciousness.

On Being Human

An individual must draw forth from inside the total love of Spirit. See and feel Spirit in all things; finned, feathered, furred and earth. Draw forth from life itself the Love of Self. Love of self leads to Love of all things. Be one with the power of the Great Power.Be one with yourself so as to be one with the Creator, Maiden, Mother, Crone.

This is being Human

This will elevate the world back to Creator

Find your sacred space and speak to the Maiden. Show her your true self.

Food for Thought!

Find your sacred space and speak to the Mother. Share your fears and concerns. Accept her unconditional love.

Find your sacred space and speak to the Crone. Drink in her experience and make it your own.

Find the center that is all creation for this is your empowerment.

Upcoming Events

Core Shamanism Level 1 6:30 - 9:30 PM Wednesday's Lawrence, KS To reserve your spot contact: courses@spiritualcoachwillowhawk.com

Sept 16

The Warrior Spirit, a companion course to Warrior Within 6:30 - 9:30 PM Crescent Springs Metaphysical Shoppe To reserve your spot contact: the store

Sept 20

Core Shamanism Level 1

12:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Council Bluffs, IA To reserve your spot contact: courses@spiritualcoachwillowhawk.com

Sept 26, 27 Psychic Fair

Intuitive Tarot Readings 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Crescent Springs Metaphysical Shoppe To reserve your spot contact: the store

Resources