The Art of Living Well
In my work as a guide in service to helping others embrace their higher purpose, and as a qigong teacher, Daoist Priest-In-Training, Dream Arc enthusiast, breath coach and leader of a nonprofit organization to advancing mental health through art and storytelling, I often get asked how it is that I personally put all of this acquired wisdom and these teachings to practical use in my every day life.
Nearly everyone has their own unique way of implementing their personal practice into their life—whether it’s through tarot, astrology, astronomy, science, geometry, art therapy or expression, the list goes on forever—but for me, personally, the answer is the same now, after all these years of cultivation as it was before; and I can trace it all the way back to my earliest memories as a child.
It is through nature; through the animal totems—their insights and medicine—as they appear on my path in my daily life.
As a child it was very simple, it came down to if I saw an animal I liked, I was happy and inspired and my imagination would ignite; and if I saw an animal I didn’t like, I was unhappy and afraid—but still, my imagination would ignite.
Throughout the years, not much changed on the surface in that regard; but through stories and experiences, I now have a more mature and refined understanding of what these animals are perhaps offering me when they appear. It is much less about what I like or dislike; and much more about what I am ready, and willing, to face and listen to—with the same result of igniting my imagination!
To put it simply, I have many more words to use now; and when fear arises—it nearly immediately transforms into curiosity.Which explains, to me, why I’m a cat person.
For example, if I see a cockroach randomly appear in my house, I ask myself if there’s somewhere I’m being arrogant in my life, and/or I’ll be a little more on the lookout for an upcoming moment where my leadership qualities will be put to the test; and perhaps where some humility is needed.
When my partner finds a dead Magpie on her vehicle in the morning, I look at where there may be some complexity in our relationship that needs to die, so that we can simplify and flow more smoothly together.
When my daughter is missing me, and I her; I remind her of the whale, the great record keepers that dive down into the deepest darkest depths and then rise to the surface for only a moment before returning; and how it is through their song that can be heard all across the world, and even across time, that the pod stays connected as one. I tell my daughter that all she has to do is stop and listen for the song, that no matter where I am or where she is, just listen and you will hear me singing to you that I love you—as though I am right beside you.
When the murder of crows gathers outside my house in the tree they like, I listen for the preponderance of the small—for the small steps I need to take in my current endeavors to bring a greater chance of success—and more importantly, for the small changes I can make where I may have offended the law of nature or betrayed myself; so that I can be better today than I was yesterday (or at the very least, so, I can be a different kind of fool today than I was yesterday).
I never ignore the “negative” or the “shadow” medicine the animal totems may bring; in my experience, I find it to be part of the spiritual mistake, to only look at the “positive” or the blessing and “light” aspects of what the animals may bring.
This is where the Dream Arc and Richard Rudd’s archetypal synthesis and self- illuminating transmission called the Gene Keys comes into play the most for me; where, as he often reiterates to us all, “Every Shadow contains a Gift.”
This wisdom has aided in guiding me into a deeper way of listening to what these animal totems may be offering; as well as in revealing an even greater courage to look at the things I may wish to avoid or am afraid of discovering—and find the gift of the blessing from within those shadowy depths.
For me, it is looking at the entire picture, the warnings and the blessings; and remembering that everything is a blessing—especially those things that are the hardest to look at and face—that provides the true medicine. In my experience, it is better to prevent suffering than to heal from suffering.
In my work, and in my daily life, at my core—my essence—my greatest weakness, and so my greatest strength, is my denial. I am always on the lookout for where I am in denial, which is a very tricky thing to do; and it is what gets me in the most trouble, those pesky things that I cannot see, or do not yet know, or have realized—I fall into a great many holes I must climb my way out of because of my denial—but that is why these failures and missteps are my greatest teachers.
Understanding this about myself, I trust and look to guidance from the animals to help me remember, or show me, where I may not be paying attention; and by doing this, I am given a greater chance of righting myself back onto the path of ease.
That is the goal after all, a life of ease—a life of freedom from suffering—not without challenges; but without suffering.
Why animals? Because animals can be seen, they can be felt and touched, they are of the earth—just as we humans are. They are the embodiment of bringing the higher into the lower, of bringing the heavens to the earth—even more so than all of the stars in the sky. I have yet to come across any individual—whether they are resistant to inner work and change, or wide open seekers, or long time voyagers—that cannot relate to animals in some way, shape or form; even if it is through fear or phobia—it remains true.
This great truth is so abundantly apparent in my life that my published books, Tale of Dragonfly of the Dragonfly Saga Series, speak to this directly. They are a tale of a dragonfly and butterfly that go on an adventure to seek the wind and ask it why it has taught them two different truths about life; and why it takes Butterfly so long to metamorphose but only takes Dragonfly a heartbeats length of time in comparison; and along the way to confront the wind, the two encounter many different animal guides that tell them stories and give them lessons and guidance.
Tale of Dragonfly is a book that, in hidden ways, follows my life and the lessons that I have learned from my direct experiences; and it is dedicated to my children that I am estranged from; so that perhaps one day they may read it and know something of their father; and know, and believe, that they have always been loved. It is gently held with a hope—and a dream—that one day, when they are ready, they will find their way to me—through the animals of nature to guide them, just as they have and continue to guide me.
The Art of Living Well
In my work as a guide in service to helping others embrace their higher purpose, and as a qigong teacher, Daoist Priest-In-Training, Dream Arc enthusiast, breath coach and leader of a nonprofit organization to advancing mental health through art and storytelling, I often get asked how it is that I personally put all of this acquired wisdom and these teachings to practical use in my every day life.Nearly everyone has their own unique way of implementing their personal practice into their life—whether it’s through tarot, astrology, astronomy, science, geometry, art therapy or expression, the list goes on forever—but for me, personally, the answer is the same now, after all these years of cultivation as it was before; and I can trace it all the way back to my earliest memories as a child.
It is through nature; through the animal totems—their insights and medicine—as they appear on my path in my daily life.
As a child it was very simple, it came down to if I saw an animal I liked, I was happy and inspired and my imagination would ignite; and if I saw an animal I didn’t like, I was unhappy and afraid—but still, my imagination would ignite.
Throughout the years, not much changed on the surface in that regard; but through stories and experiences, I now have a more mature and refined understanding of what these animals are perhaps offering me when they appear. It is much less about what I like or dislike; and much more about what I am ready, and willing, to face and listen to—with the same result of igniting my imagination!
To put it simply, I have many more words to use now; and when fear arises—it nearly immediately transforms into curiosity.Which explains, to me, why I’m a cat person.
For example, if I see a cockroach randomly appear in my house, I ask myself if there’s somewhere I’m being arrogant in my life, and/or I’ll be a little more on the lookout for an upcoming moment where my leadership qualities will be put to the test; and perhaps where some humility is needed.
When my partner finds a dead Magpie on her vehicle in the morning, I look at where there may be some complexity in our relationship that needs to die, so that we can simplify and flow more smoothly together.
When my daughter is missing me, and I her; I remind her of the whale, the great record keepers that dive down into the deepest darkest depths and then rise to the surface for only a moment before returning; and how it is through their song that can be heard all across the world, and even across time, that the pod stays connected as one. I tell my daughter that all she has to do is stop and listen for the song, that no matter where I am or where she is, just listen and you will hear me singing to you that I love you—as though I am right beside you.
When the murder of crows gathers outside my house in the tree they like, I listen for the preponderance of the small—for the small steps I need to take in my current endeavors to bring a greater chance of success—and more importantly, for the small changes I can make where I may have offended the law of nature or betrayed myself; so that I can be better today than I was yesterday (or at the very least, so, I can be a different kind of fool today than I was yesterday).
I never ignore the “negative” or the “shadow” medicine the animal totems may bring; in my experience, I find it to be part of the spiritual mistake, to only look at the “positive” or the blessing and “light” aspects of what the animals may bring.
This is where the Dream Arc and Richard Rudd’s archetypal synthesis and self- illuminating transmission called the Gene Keys comes into play the most for me; where, as he often reiterates to us all, “Every Shadow contains a Gift.”
This wisdom has aided in guiding me into a deeper way of listening to what these animal totems may be offering; as well as in revealing an even greater courage to look at the things I may wish to avoid or am afraid of discovering—and find the gift of the blessing from within those shadowy depths.
For me, it is looking at the entire picture, the warnings and the blessings; and remembering that everything is a blessing—especially those things that are the hardest to look at and face—that provides the true medicine. In my experience, it is better to prevent suffering than to heal from suffering.
In my work, and in my daily life, at my core—my essence—my greatest weakness, and so my greatest strength, is my denial. I am always on the lookout for where I am in denial, which is a very tricky thing to do; and it is what gets me in the most trouble, those pesky things that I cannot see, or do not yet know, or have realized—I fall into a great many holes I must climb my way out of because of my denial—but that is why these failures and missteps are my greatest teachers.
Understanding this about myself, I trust and look to guidance from the animals to help me remember, or show me, where I may not be paying attention; and by doing this, I am given a greater chance of righting myself back onto the path of ease.
That is the goal after all, a life of ease—a life of freedom from suffering—not without challenges; but without suffering.
Why animals? Because animals can be seen, they can be felt and touched, they are of the earth—just as we humans are. They are the embodiment of bringing the higher into the lower, of bringing the heavens to the earth—even more so than all of the stars in the sky. I have yet to come across any individual—whether they are resistant to inner work and change, or wide open seekers, or long time voyagers—that cannot relate to animals in some way, shape or form; even if it is through fear or phobia—it remains true.
This great truth is so abundantly apparent in my life that my published books, Tale of Dragonfly of the Dragonfly Saga Series, speak to this directly. They are a tale of a dragonfly and butterfly that go on an adventure to seek the wind and ask it why it has taught them two different truths about life; and why it takes Butterfly so long to metamorphose but only takes Dragonfly a heartbeats length of time in comparison; and along the way to confront the wind, the two encounter many different animal guides that tell them stories and give them lessons and guidance.
Tale of Dragonfly is a book that, in hidden ways, follows my life and the lessons that I have learned from my direct experiences; and it is dedicated to my children that I am estranged from; so that perhaps one day they may read it and know something of their father; and know, and believe, that they have always been loved. It is gently held with a hope—and a dream—that one day, when they are ready, they will find their way to me—through the animals of nature to guide them, just as they have and continue to guide me.
The Art of Living Well
In my work as a guide in service to helping others embrace their higher purpose, and as a qigong teacher, Daoist Priest-In-Training, Dream Arc enthusiast, breath coach and leader of a nonprofit organization to advancing mental health through art and storytelling, I often get asked how it is that I personally put all of this acquired wisdom and these teachings to practical use in my every day life.Nearly everyone has their own unique way of implementing their personal practice into their life—whether it’s through tarot, astrology, astronomy, science, geometry, art therapy or expression, the list goes on forever—but for me, personally, the answer is the same now, after all these years of cultivation as it was before; and I can trace it all the way back to my earliest memories as a child.
It is through nature; through the animal totems—their insights and medicine—as they appear on my path in my daily life.
As a child it was very simple, it came down to if I saw an animal I liked, I was happy and inspired and my imagination would ignite; and if I saw an animal I didn’t like, I was unhappy and afraid—but still, my imagination would ignite.
Throughout the years, not much changed on the surface in that regard; but through stories and experiences, I now have a more mature and refined understanding of what these animals are perhaps offering me when they appear. It is much less about what I like or dislike; and much more about what I am ready, and willing, to face and listen to—with the same result of igniting my imagination!
To put it simply, I have many more words to use now; and when fear arises—it nearly immediately transforms into curiosity.Which explains, to me, why I’m a cat person.
For example, if I see a cockroach randomly appear in my house, I ask myself if there’s somewhere I’m being arrogant in my life, and/or I’ll be a little more on the lookout for an upcoming moment where my leadership qualities will be put to the test; and perhaps where some humility is needed.
When my partner finds a dead Magpie on her vehicle in the morning, I look at where there may be some complexity in our relationship that needs to die, so that we can simplify and flow more smoothly together.
When my daughter is missing me, and I her; I remind her of the whale, the great record keepers that dive down into the deepest darkest depths and then rise to the surface for only a moment before returning; and how it is through their song that can be heard all across the world, and even across time, that the pod stays connected as one. I tell my daughter that all she has to do is stop and listen for the song, that no matter where I am or where she is, just listen and you will hear me singing to you that I love you—as though I am right beside you.
When the murder of crows gathers outside my house in the tree they like, I listen for the preponderance of the small—for the small steps I need to take in my current endeavors to bring a greater chance of success—and more importantly, for the small changes I can make where I may have offended the law of nature or betrayed myself; so that I can be better today than I was yesterday (or at the very least, so, I can be a different kind of fool today than I was yesterday).
I never ignore the “negative” or the “shadow” medicine the animal totems may bring; in my experience, I find it to be part of the spiritual mistake, to only look at the “positive” or the blessing and “light” aspects of what the animals may bring.
This is where the Dream Arc and Richard Rudd’s archetypal synthesis and self- illuminating transmission called the Gene Keys comes into play the most for me; where, as he often reiterates to us all, “Every Shadow contains a Gift.”
This wisdom has aided in guiding me into a deeper way of listening to what these animal totems may be offering; as well as in revealing an even greater courage to look at the things I may wish to avoid or am afraid of discovering—and find the gift of the blessing from within those shadowy depths.
For me, it is looking at the entire picture, the warnings and the blessings; and remembering that everything is a blessing—especially those things that are the hardest to look at and face—that provides the true medicine. In my experience, it is better to prevent suffering than to heal from suffering.
In my work, and in my daily life, at my core—my essence—my greatest weakness, and so my greatest strength, is my denial. I am always on the lookout for where I am in denial, which is a very tricky thing to do; and it is what gets me in the most trouble, those pesky things that I cannot see, or do not yet know, or have realized—I fall into a great many holes I must climb my way out of because of my denial—but that is why these failures and missteps are my greatest teachers.
Understanding this about myself, I trust and look to guidance from the animals to help me remember, or show me, where I may not be paying attention; and by doing this, I am given a greater chance of righting myself back onto the path of ease.
That is the goal after all, a life of ease—a life of freedom from suffering—not without challenges; but without suffering.
Why animals? Because animals can be seen, they can be felt and touched, they are of the earth—just as we humans are. They are the embodiment of bringing the higher into the lower, of bringing the heavens to the earth—even more so than all of the stars in the sky. I have yet to come across any individual—whether they are resistant to inner work and change, or wide open seekers, or long time voyagers—that cannot relate to animals in some way, shape or form; even if it is through fear or phobia—it remains true.
This great truth is so abundantly apparent in my life that my published books, Tale of Dragonfly of the Dragonfly Saga Series, speak to this directly. They are a tale of a dragonfly and butterfly that go on an adventure to seek the wind and ask it why it has taught them two different truths about life; and why it takes Butterfly so long to metamorphose but only takes Dragonfly a heartbeats length of time in comparison; and along the way to confront the wind, the two encounter many different animal guides that tell them stories and give them lessons and guidance.
Tale of Dragonfly is a book that, in hidden ways, follows my life and the lessons that I have learned from my direct experiences; and it is dedicated to my children that I am estranged from; so that perhaps one day they may read it and know something of their father; and know, and believe, that they have always been loved. It is gently held with a hope—and a dream—that one day, when they are ready, they will find their way to me—through the animals of nature to guide them, just as they have and continue to guide me.
