Urban Shamanism

Trying new things can be scary. Are they good for my health? Are they useful? Beautiful? Worthwhile? These are some of the value judgments that we often go through before finally deciding whether we want to experience novelty or stay as we are. And sometimes it's actually very wise to stay where we are, no doubt, but since we're here in this world to feel and grow, we can't let the fear define our course of action. Yes, we should avoid jumping into a jungle alone with no survival toolkit if we can, but if we find ourselves in such a situation, we have to make quick work of accepting it so we can learn and evolve. Paralysis is death against the predator, and we're seeing the many faces of that predator now like never before, aren't we? The system of deception that we've all created and enforced for millennia can no longer conceal the truth. We see the tooth and the claw, where do we go?

We go where the weapons and the hatred hold no sway, because they depend on resentment and anger to operate. We go where the predator can't hide, right in the middle of the spotlight, a land unknown to the beasts of night. By facing our own fear of exposure, we can expose the dread and disarm it, not only to get it out of our way but also to learn from it. We can only do that if we embrace the new and are willing to let go of the defense mechanisms and the customs that stop our expansion.

@EcoTrain's QotW is about habits, patterns of behavior that may help us by increasing our peace and discipline, or hinder us by diminishing our independence. One of the most pervasive habits that I've had to get rid of was the tendency to judge other people's actions and interfere with their processes directly or indirectly by imposing my opinions; to do this, I had to realize that I was actually expressing unhappiness with aspects of myself through criticism, suppression and complaint, meaning that I was holding myself back from exploring a different point of view. That doesn't mean that I like everything now, that I'm willing to do anything, I've just become much more assertive in how I manage my energy, the people with whom I share it and the places where I use it. What I don't do is refuse offers without a reason, I always give myself the opportunity to empathize, to change perspectives. It wasn't easy but it's part of my daily life now.

Another much more subtle habit that I've had to alchemize, especially in recent months, is the false modesty of keeping myself small before others. Failing to recognize my rank and authority isn't a form of humility, but a sophisticated form of vanity, a holier-than-thou attitude based on insecurity that actually limits my capacity to do my service properly. If I don't recognize what I can do and keep my talents to myself, I'm not fulfilling my task, that's not something to be proud of and it doesn't even feel good, it seeps joy out of living. Conversely, accepting the awards of my effort brings me greater understanding and precision, broadening my prospects and empowering my choices.

These are only two examples out of many, but I think they illustrate the point very well. Whatever keeps us from finding new meaning, fostering new thoughts and building new connections, is a pattern that we have to disassemble. In this dual world, difference brings noise if we resist it and growth if we accept it. We have to get into the habit of reviewing what we do and don't do, identify the triggers and consequences of our movement and passivity. This is especially important with conducts that we deem positive or correct. Tradition and convention have their uses, routines provide a sense of stability, but the nature of this Universe is constant change, rejecting this inevitably leads to suffering.

Mannaz inverted. Impediment, Adaptation, Reach

Stuck mechanisms, blocked routes; a simple but important procedure is being held back by the tiniest of obstructions. Pay minute attention to the working of the gears, the pattern of noise in any process, and you shall find the resistance. You must remain in movement, increase your speed and agility; the territory becomes steep, difficult to transit, but if you choose to learn you may experience great progress in a very short time. If you build bridges in your mind, you build them in your life; allow yourself to get to other spheres, expand your range of action, stagnation and specialization go against basic survival. Recognize and use your reach, do not restrict your options, you may have to suddenly change course or channel. Do not go where you have not been invited nor stay where you do not feel welcome.