To force the Holy into action.
To bring His presence
back into Creation.

I know your name.
But you are not your
brothers’ keeper.

Consecration
spreads it’s wings.

It is the force that
turns the world.
It is the change
that time cannot deny.
It is the dream
that you never forget.
It is the Shaman
with no regrets.

Jack
I Listen.

Poetry

I lied. It’s not a story at all.

What is it? It’s a call.

This was brought on by a post my Mexican brother, Renato, sent me sometime late last night. It was a story of love, and loss, of pride, and attitude. Please, just read it yourself. Fair warning. It is slightly graphic. But it’s goddamned beautiful.

What Renato made me think of with that post is not something I can really even begin to explain. But, being the cocky bastard that I am, I’m gonna fucking try.

It reminded me of something I had forgotten. Something that I am afraid Renato may have forgotten by the end of that post. I hope not.

I had forgotten everything that got me where I am today. Some people might call it vanity or pride. Some people might say an undeserved sense of self worth. What I am getting at is attitude. I have always believed that my stories are meant to be read, by sanction of god, or satan, or odin, or zues, or who gives a fuck. I’ve always had a feeling deep inside me that what I am doing is right. No matter what anyone had to say about it. That I was walking that golden path that so many before me have walked.

Is it pride? Sure. Is it vanity? You’re damned right. Is it undeserved? Go fuck yourself.

The attitude that we own this. That we belong. That we are meant for far greater things. It doesn’t matter if we are wrong, because this is the only attitude that ever changes the world. Some will fall, some will rise. It matters not.

Change is brought on by the cocky bastards out there. Do the world a favor, and buy one of us a beer. We’re easy to spot. Look for the guy that has absolutely no right to be dancing with the best looking girl in the bar. Look for the lead singer that takes all of the drinks the crowd offers up, and still doesn’t fuck up a song. Look for the guy surrounded by empty beer glasses and notepads that everyone stops to talk to and buy a beer for.

Look for us. If we are not screaming for attention, we are drowning in despair. We will be remembered, because we will not settle for less.

We spot each other with a word. We are brothers.

Jack
I Listen.

I listen better if that’s a six pack in that grocery bag.

We stood in the forest, as the rain fell in sheets. Odin grabbed me firmly by the arm. “They still do not live by the basics! Why do you continue to teach further?”

“All-Father, I cannot make the people listen. I can only give them the light to see the way. I am but a torch in the darkness. I cannot be more.”

“You can be more, and you are more! You have sacrificed yourself on Yggdrasil! Pluck an eye, and give it to my Ravens, and we are one. But I understand. There is a reason the people do not listen. You are trying to break at that core. I see. Let us hope you can. Let us hope together that Fenrir does not have to be raised.”

Odin turned and walked away fro me, in the pouring rain.

**

So, today we are going to take ideology a little further. We are going to talk about the nature of ideology itself. You see, much like the shamanic ideas I talked about in the Developmental Theology series, ideology varies from person to person. It is individual. You decide what is real and what is not. You decide what can happen and what cannot. This makes things very interesting.

Having read that, you may wonder why I would even try to teach a class on ideology, if it is something that each person decides on their own. Well, that reason would be to help you fully develop an ideology that is still individual, but is in a healthy agreement with what we need as a functional world. I don’t think there are many people that could look at our world as a whole, and call it functional, or healthy. We have to change things. And we have to do it fast.

How can we change the world? By changing ourselves. If we become more healthy and responsible people, the world gains. So, to do that, we must first try to understand the mind. The hardest thing man has ever faced. And the way we are going to do that is by learning about ideas, and how to develop them into a working ideology.

We’ve talked about examining our thoughts and actions. We’ve seen that even Saint Augustine believed that if rational thought contradicted scripture, it was normal and reasonable. It is important to pay attention to our thoughts and actions and examine the why. It is also important to not be tied down by books or teachings.

Now we have talked about the importance of the individual, even on the global level.

Remember, each man must find his own path.

Jack.
I Listen.

Basic Ideology 101

Battle #3
Odin Appears and Individuality is Examined.

We are going to talk just a very little about the idea of “Gnosis.” Gnosis is the state of enlightenment that some believe can be achieved through knowledge. At one time, there were many Gnostic sects for many religions, but in present day, very few still exist. We are not going to concern ourselves with where they are and what they do. Instead, we will focus on the idea alone.

The idea of Gnosis, or enlightenment though knowledge, is similar to other things we have talked about, such as Zen and Existentialism. I often find that these three philosophies are more closely tied that most would like to admit.

Gnosis encourages learning and compassion. And as such it also encompasses the “Live in the Now” ideas of Zen and Existentialism.

So, let’s add this brief part of the ideas to our shamanic thoughts. Knowledge is power. That has always been true. Living in the Now gets rid of things that stop human advancement, such as anxieties. If you live in this present moment, and realize that was has past is just a story book, and what is to come is merely science fiction, it becomes easier to make this, and every, moment count.

There are hundreds of ways to say this, and it has been said over and over for centuries, but really understanding the idea is what matters. Understand that the you that is reading this is only you for that moment. After this moment has passed, it is not you anymore. You are already on the next moment, gleaning more information further down the page.

Convert your idea of time into still frames, or seconds, or motions. You can break it down to the most basic thought, and then when you run through all of those thoughts it becomes the flipbook that we call memory. And just like a real flipbook or film reel, sometimes pages, or slides become lost or damaged.

I’m starting to ramble a bit, so let’s pull this together. It’s hard for me not to ramble, knowing this is the end of a class that I’ve taught for more than a year now.

So, if we can gain knowledge, and remain fully aware of our past and future, without letting it hinder our abilities here in the Now, we might reach that state of Gnosis or enlightenment. Sounds pretty difficult, right? Well, you’re the one that wanted to be a shaman. :p

-Jack
I Listen.
Developmental Theology 089
Lesson #52 – End of Class

Let’s break away these walls and join each other.  I am no more teacher than I am student.  Richard Bach once wrote, “We teach best what we need to learn the most.”  Nothing could be more true.  So, here I am, on the cusp of something extraordinary, and I want all of you to join me.

Some secrets may change hands.  Life may transform as we evolve both physically and spiritually.  The adoption of technology to the shaman’s path is of utmost imprtance.  The shaman can no longer be just about nature.  The shaman has to grow with the culture, and the culture is growing rapidly.  Never has the shaman had the chance he does now.  The chance to be everywhere at once, literally.

As saplings we all start, but soon we grow into trees that devour our surroundings.  Be the oak tree.  Give something back for what you are taking.  Do not be the weeping willow, who takes all of the water it can, but offers nothing in return.

It’s time that we began to think globally.  There is more out there than your own backyard.  Jump for it.  Strive for it.  Become other worldly with me.   We cannot forgive those you have never reached for something greater.  The fate of mankind is in each of your hands.  Can you make it better?

-Jack
I Listen.
I Travel.

You see, a shaman’s primary role is a connector. The shaman sees relationships where there are none, and connects the dots, bringing people together who may have never met any other way. A shaman’s duty is to build a family, or tribe, and to help others to do the same. Putting the right people together is the ultimate goal of spiritual connection: Human Reconnection.

We separate ourselves from others in many, many ways every day. Unity is the only answer to conflict. Sharing, cooperation, understanding; these are the things that move us forward, not conflict and battles. Today, talk to someone you’ve never talked to. That is your assignment.

Jack
I Listen.
I Travel.

Dreaming the Dream.

You are almost finished with your early path. The path of the shaman is long and hard, and stretches far beyond the confines of my little class. With this lesson you will become all that you are and all that you ever shall be: Infinite. Speak these words with me. Don’t let desire overcome you. Speak with me as I drum.

• I AM.
• I am a shaman.
• I am the source of all dreams, including this one.
• I am the universe, and the universe is me.
• I am the rain, and all that it cleanses.
• I am the sin in every man.
• I am the salvation in every heart.
• I am the shaman.
• I am all that is forgotten.
• I am all that will ever be remembered.
• I am my Dreaming.
• I am Zen.
• I am the flow of synchronicity.
• I am the river and the mountain, the ocean and the beach.
• I am so much more than I could ever list.
• I am a shaman.
• I am free.
• I am.

Be the Shaman. Be free. Show your faith in your determination. This can be a better world. This already is a better world. Self-realization. What are you? I am.

-Jack.
I Listen.

You cannot be what you don’t believe in.

An important lesson here is about community. Many people think that the shamanic journey is an introspective, private one. And it is. To an extent.

You see, once the shaman has mastered his inner self, he can begin his truly great work, and start building bonds within a community. Now this social aspect of the shaman does not meaning telling everyone you’ve found God and you are completely right. Just the opposite really. The shaman should never force beliefs or ideals on others. They have their own shamanic journey that may be entirely different from yours, and that’s ok.

A shaman builds healthy bonds and relationships with the people he or she cares about. Shamanism is not solitary. You must go into the world and help. Make this a stronger place. Make this a better, cleaner place. Make this a spiritual place again. Our old Mother misses her children.

Use the green darts. Connect the dots.

Loki.
I Listen.
I Travel.
I Remember.

Universal consciousness is only the long term goal.

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Tags: theology, ideology, religion, philosophy, shaman, shamanic, shamanism, culture, duty, tolerance

We cannot forgive those that have never reached for something greater. That is the basis of the shaman’s power and ability, constantly striving for something more. There is something out there. Can you dare to reach for it?

Loki
I’m Listening.
Developmental Theology 089
Lesson #47

Walk the walk.

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Tags: theology, ideology, religion, action, shaman, shamanism, works, walls, walking