be the change - tread the path

Many Changes - but still here treading the path

Damian — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:54:35 +0000

Its been a long time since I wrote on here but I do keep checking on my baby from time to time and still reply to messages from new blognauts that fall across my articles from time to time.

Many thanks to those of you who have asked me to continue writing and it is something I do mean to get round to doing. Maybe this is the new beginning - maybe a brief return - who knows?

Whatever happens I can assure you all that my journey has continued to pick up pace and I’ve been out there walking the walk of Truth and Virtue. There have been some major ups and downs and amazing surprises along the way, some of which no-one would believe if I wrote them down.

I eventually split with my partner after she became another statistic of Facebook stalking - an old flame of hers appeared offering a route back to the rose coloured past and I left wishing them both well and a happy future for all. Almost immediately though the Universe deemed it time to create a convergence that brought me together with my true companion in life - an amazing lady by the name of Katy. She truly is an Angel and we were sent to each other at just the right times in our lives.

So too did I eventually rid myself of the main reason for holding back on the writing - I resigned from the UK Government and concentrated on the voluntary work I have been doing for over 9 months now. Not earning causes me some nervous moments but the love and friendship I’ve found working in and for the Community makes up for it many times over.

I’ve been working on many projects and offering advice and support to a variety of community groups and I am currently looking into transforming this into working for myself as a self-employed consultant. Doing what I love and getting paid for it too - the dream is finally within reach

The majority of work I’m involved in relates to inspiring others to ‘BE the change’ - no surprise there I hear you cry. I work with Offenders and Prisoners treating them with respect and guiding them while they challenge their own attitudes to life, work and society. When you finally see the ‘click’ of realisation it is an amazingly magical moment and many of them have returned to speak to us weeks after they no longer had to attend.

I have also been graced with the support of one of the groups I work with, Communities for Stability, by being elected Chairperson and I took some time out to develop their web-site which you can find at www.c4stability.com and Yes, my influence is there again with the C4S ‘BE the Change’ campaign.

On a spiritual front I’ve drifted away from the ‘New Age’ stuff as it is becoming worryingly cult’ish as an organism and I gave up my Pentacle to an effigy of Cernunnus at a lovely church in Rostherne (pictured above). The Druidry is still central to my belief structure but has taken on a distinctive Gnostic Christian leaning. This has led me to give serious consideration to the original Christianity before the factions, crusades and politics took control and twisted it to their own ends. There is still a lot to be gained from it - and all the other religions for that matter - if only you can see through the stains left by a succession of humanity and grasp the concepts and intent of the wise and good.

It’s been good sharing with you all again and hopefully it won’t be too long before I return again - until I do please continue to ‘BE the Change’.

Much Love,

Damian /|\ +

Guest Author - Vitor - BEing the Change

Damian — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 16:15:56 +0000

It’s been great to receive a new flurry of emails welcoming my return to writing and special thanks to Patricia and Vitor for their extremely supportive submissions -a very pleasent addition to one such message was the acceptance from Vitor to take up a place in my Guest Author slot with the following - very timeous (for me) - article. Please also note that Vitor has also supplied the image for this article, many more of the same can be found at his site ‘The Fractal Forest’.

Drawing the lines - a creative act of self-expression

Sometimes, this world can seem to be a place of suffering where we are forced to live, because of reasons that elude us. We fight to get what we want, we create conflict everywhere we go. Our only way to free ourselves from this, so we think, is to find God, find Oneness, reconnect to Source, or something like that. But this is actually the cause of the whole situation. Those thoughts make us struggle – fight against our own essence.

Lately, I’ve learned to see things a little bit different. There is nowhere to go, nothing to achieve, because we are already there. The fractal nature of the universe shows us that we have never been separate from the whole. We see lines and divisions, but the truth of the matter, as far as absolute truth can exist, is very simple.

We are already one. There are no lines.

Where does reality end and fantasy begin? Where is the edge of the cliff you threw yourself off, out of your dreams and into this life? Can you tell the difference between intuition and imagination, logic and delusion; you, and the rest of existence?

There are no lines. That’s why we draw them.

It sounds like a bad thing, but it really isn’t. It is what defines us, what makes us human, our very essence. If we were not this way, then the world would be united and perfect (or so “they” say). However, what concepts can exist in such a state? Should we deny ourselves because of this, deny our power?

If we did, there would be no room for expression.

No way to be unique.

No connection, no reality.

Reality. A playground for our imaginations to run loose, bringing new and amazing things to light with every breath. When I say reality, I mean a malleable substance with no shape of its own, ready to be formed by our will. Our reality is what we make of it, where the divine spark finds its ultimate expression - a place where the great paradox of the universe remains silent for the length of a few cosmic heartbeats, only to unfold this amazing experience which we, the spirits of this earth, are able to see, hear and feel.

How can there be unity when there has never been division? How can we know creativity when we have not yet been created? Where else could we be playful but in this play, where our essence runs free thanks to the thoughts giving it legs?

There’s a reason we are here, right as we are. We are constantly defining our existence by drawing the lines. As long as we are alert, mindful, deliberate and authentic, there’s nothing that can really go wrong.

On second thought, better skip that previous part and just say: There’s nothing that can really go wrong. Our nature is to be pioneers of individuality and expression. This world we have created, as segmented and splintered it might look like, is just perfect the way it is.

Many Thanks for this Vitor - an excellent precursor to my next article which will be an explanation of the various ‘Revelations’ which have come to me as an important stage of my Awakening and act as a plateau in my journey towards Ascension. Watch this space!

Much Love,

Damian

Sefriel - Finding a way

Damian — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 07:57:58 +0000

Following on from his recent Guest Post on here ‘To BE a Spiritual Warrior’, my good friend Sef has sent me another wonderful article which I present here with the most sincere thanks

Finding a Way

A friend of mine asked me the other day, “Why do you take expensive whisky to the club only to give it away?” when discussing an evening I’m particularly fond of with a bring-your-own-booze policy, where I am known for offering around fine single malts. My first response was to be taken aback by this question, as it seemed perfectly natural to me, but then I realised that not everyone would do the same. As I tried to explain – failing terribly – I came to the conclusion that perhaps my mind worked in a different way to hers; perhaps in a different way to most people.

The simple answer to her question is “Because I feel like it.” That however is blasé and quite curt, and would not make for a good article; the true answer is “Because I have something to give to others which they might not experience otherwise.” Yes, it’s lovely when I walk outside to see the smokers and am greeted with “There he is! Sef, the guy I told you about with the really good whisky! He’s great!” but that’s not necessarily what I’m about. I find myself in a situation, I see that I could improve it for others, and I go about the task.

This translates right across the board, and I realised over the weekend that it isn’t the normal way of doing things. My friend thinks of the initial outlay for the whisky, which we shall say is £20, and then the fact that I don’t even get to drink all of it! Everything in her considerations is what I stand to lose, and it goes from the material up; that is, the physical affects her ideas, the mental aspect of the situation. I however tend to think in terms of what I stand to give, because I like making people happy and helping out. In this way, I flow from the mental down.

The universe has a hierarchy of planes, four of which we will go into now, the lower ranks as it were. Each plane is as a plateau, one may see the planes beneath but not those above from whichever vantage point.

The elemental level is at the bottom of the tree as it were. This is where what might be called elemental spirits reside, but it is the preserve of atoms, electrons, quarks, gluons, and other elementary particles/waves/’what have you’. These come together to form microscopic items, which bond to become macroscopic items.

Above this is the familiar physical plane, where things exist on a macroscopic level and go about their daily lives, with animals and people making little plans for the future and seeing if they come true or not.

The astral plane is where these plans live, as thought-forms waiting to happen. Everything which could happen is a thought-form of varying intensity according to probability. It is also the medium through which magick happens, and through which people meditate to access the mental plane.

The mental plane is where the mind resides. When it is not tied down to a physical body and thus the physical plane, a mind will move to the mental; this incidentally is how déjà vu comes about, by the mind seeing (during dreaming) from the mental plane the astral thought-forms likely to happen to it in the near future – these cannot be brought back to the physical but upon manifestation of the thought-forms a feeling of “I saw that before!” kicks in, as the mind remembers.

Now my friend works on the premise that the universe works in that order: that things come together on the elemental to make physical items, which go together and make plans which create thought-forms on the astral, which give birth to ideas on the mental. This is a fallacy, and easily disproved at the first hurdle: Quantum Mechanics clearly states that until someone (on the physical plane) observes base particles, these particles don’t know what they’re doing! Okay, it’s more involved than that, but you get the idea.

In reality, an idea is formed on the mental plane. It emanates into the astral and gives rise to thought-forms. These are all the possible routes to that idea, and when the time comes the most likely thought-form will manifest onto the physical. This means that the idea is all-important, and without a strong idea nothing may be achieved. It also means that if enough Willpower is thrown into an idea, it will happen no matter what.

I understand this is easy enough to write, but sounds ludicrous. I shall therefore give an example as a case study. A friend of mine, Mark Olly (through whom Damian and I met) was giving a talk the other month in Stockport, and all I knew was the name of the venue. Working through the planar model, the idea on the mental plane was that I would get to the venue. This emanated into the following thought-forms as means of achieving this end, in the following order:

Getting directions from Mark.
Calling the venue and getting directions.
Asking in a local shop for directions.
Checking the internet for directions

I tried to manifest all these in turn, but I couldn’t follow Mark’s directions in the car and got quite lost, so the person giving me a lift had to leave me in the middle of Stockport and I then found the number from directory enquiries. Unfortunately, nobody was answering, so I tried the cinema, bowling alley and even Subway for directions. The guy serving at Subway however tried to access the internet for me to check the directions, but the internet connection for his terminal was broken.

Now, this is where most people would probably have given up, but I refuse to do this. I have done many things in my life and picked up a lot of information, but something which has stuck with me from a particularly silly job was the term “Find A Way”, which means that no matter what there will always be a way to save the day, literally in some cases for me.

Thus, another thought-form was made: Unexpected help (or Divine Intervention some may say). I made a conscious decision that I would see Mark, and as I stood watching the clerk at Subway look at the broken Ethernet cable, my phone rang. A friend I hadn’t spoken to in a year or so had called me from a number I did not know, and she knew Stockport and was able to direct me to the venue. Sure enough, I turned up in the nick of time (a subject for another article) and met Mark, and we had a very good night.

The obvious question is: why am I writing this down for people to read? The answer many readers will have by now is that I enjoy self-aggrandisement and like to brag, but I am trying to give examples to illustrate my point: thinking differently from most people can have surprising outcomes. Just as I am happy to give whisky away even though I lose out, by concerted effort of will it is possible to achieve all goals no matter how impossible it may seem.

So please, take heart, and continue fighting the good fight. Remember that it is your ideas which shape the future, and that enough willpower will create the situations you need to carry forward your goals. Giving of yourself means that sometimes the universe will give a little back, and help you find a way.

-Sefriel

Many thanks again for that Sef, we’ll have you setting up your own Blog before too long - but until you do you’re always welcome to post on here

That offer is always open to any of YOU too - especially if you haven’t yet taken the plunge and started your own site - use the Contact Form to get in touch and as Sef says “ Giving of yourself means that sometimes the universe will give a little back, and help you find a way” - Hmmm, sounds like an article I wrote a while back, ‘Writing for Positivity - Receiving from Giving’.

Take care and BE the Change,

Damian

Treading the Path - companions and Angels

Damian — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:42:43 +0000

Phew! - this Spirituality game isn’t one for the faint hearted. Cryptic messages, amazing revelations, temporary insanity, Archetypal meanderings, amazing new friends, physical illness, magical places, unwarranted accusations, boundless gratitude, angels, demons and the Godhead itself - I’ve had it all - and most of it in the last three weeks. I’ll try and cover it all over the next few articles - I’m sure you’ll enjoy the stories.

Before I go any further can I take this opportunity to send LOVE out to Steve and the guys at www.totl.co.uk excellent project - well worth checking out if you’re interested in Spirituality. Blessings also to Sandra and the Group at www.thewitchsway.me.uk if you’re interested in Paganism and live near Reddish, Stockport they’re a wonderful group to meet up with. Special Greets to Mhaille and Sef - thanks guys for simply being YOU.

I’m still having major problems with work so can’t go into that too much except to note that I’m appalled at the level of ’support’ I’ve not received, including them stopping my pay and making out it was a mistake. Luckily I have an excellent Union Rep that had it reinstated within a few days. The sooner this situation is resolved - the better for me and my family.

One constant in this journey is that I’m overwhelmed with the number of wonderfully spiritual people that I’m meeting through pure coincidence (hereafter known as The Divine Plan as there is no such thing as coincidence). Sure there are dissapointments but as soon as one companion leaves your path, another appears to share the next stage of the quest for Truth and Light.

Whether these people are there for a fleeting moment or for a much longer shared stint on the path - each and evrey one are an absolute godsend. Further confirmation to me that we all act as each others Angels as we stumble through Life. Some are there to soothe and support while others are there as obstacles and lessons - but once you go through this realisation you treat everyone as a messenger from the Source and acknowledge the Divine Spark in them all.

This one revelation in a sea of many has opened my eyes to living consciously ‘in the moment’ - my eyes, ears and heart wide open to each possibility of guidance and enlightenment. You really should take the time to LISTEN rather than waiting for your turn to speak.

The key to all this is unconditional Forgiveness - don’t hold any grudges, vendettas or negativity that no longer serve your purpose. Move on and let it all go and the messages, realisations and lessons will soon follow. My favourite methods for doing this are a good long soak in the bath or a lengthy stroll in the countryside - both always work wonders for letting go of frustrations and getting back on track.

The other lesson I’ve learnt is not to respond immediately and don’t be forced into reacting by anyone else - give yourself time to let it all sink in and unfold. You’ll soon see that many ‘perceived’ issues were never there to begin with and the others have no satisfactory resolution anyway - just let it go rather than wasting energy trying to reclaim ground that was never yours to begin with.

Hey - whatever happens, people are an energy too. As one leaves to tread a different path, another will come along with new ideas and renewed vigour to refresh your Spirit and add new dimensions to your personal Gnosis. Don’t try and block the flow, roll with it.

So here’s a toast to all the friends and companions I’m yet to meet - I’m looking through clear eyes and won’t miss the chance to share with any of you ;-) and huge thanks to all those I’ve already met on my journey - you’ll always have a place in my heart and I hope to see you soon.

Much Love to you all,

Damian x

Heading toward Ascension - A return to Nature

Damian — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 08:18:20 +0000

I wrote the following article for a ‘friend’ which was included on his site until recently when it was withdrawn for no apparent reason - seems a shame to waste it, so here goes……

There is no doubting that we are stepping into a period of Spiritual Ascension and the signs of an Awakening are apparent throughout the world. Many people are feeling disassociated and detached, no longer obsessed with the trappings of a material life and feeling lost and unfulfilled. The search is on for meaning and understanding and many believe that Celtic Spirituality is entering a Third Golden Age.

Global warming, the Ozone layer and Greenhouse gasses are no longer terms used amongst the scientific community – open any newspaper or watch the news on TV and you’re sure to find something adding to the Conservation debate. Many believe that we are moving towards a climatic ‘End of Days’ where Mother Earth, angry by the constant taking of her natural resources by the greed of mankind, is beginning to stir and preparing to rid herself of her most destructive parasite.

No wonder then that those of us who feel a connection with Spirit should look to our roots and delve into the history of our Ancestors to discover how Spirituality was viewed during a time when we were still part of the harmony of Nature and an important piece in the Ecological jigsaw.

Across the world many cultures and religions have developed relatively unscathed and are practised today in very similar methods to that of their ancient founders. Judaism, Buddhism, Native American Shamanism to name but three are still alive and flourishing and bring their followers meaning, understanding and solace through the trials that life lays before us. Many Westerners have adopted these paths as their own and much worth can be found in each.

Unfortunately this isn’t the case in Europe where France, Germany, England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland have been the constant battleground of invaders, traders and settlers - each imposing or influencing their own ideals on the Spiritual landscape with a blend of beliefs and cultures from right across the spectrum of enlightenment. The true indigenous Celtic Spirituality has been buffeted in the storm and mainly lost in the tumultuous ravages of early Christianity and tribal conquest.

Each of the Celtic paths brings with them their own colour and vibrancy with complex imagery, ritual and symbolism – much of which is shared across the traditions. But this should not dissuade anyone from joining in; bringing with them their own ideas and experience which further enriches the Community. You do not need to learn Gaelic, commit complex ritual to memory or amass a roomful of tools and supplies – simply step outside and spend time with nature.

We all know the rush of energy and wellbeing felt when strolling through the woods or the serenity of watching the sun setting while sat on a secluded beach. These are the energies that you tap into when working with any Earth based spirituality. Additionally it is a path you can easily share with all of your family and friends by taking the time to arrange a picnic in the park or meeting at a local beauty spot for a refreshing stroll. Any advance in connecting with the source will be met with positive affirmation.

Once you take a step towards Nature and see the majesty of what she has to offer the intricacies of life will begin to unfold. Ultimately these paths are solitary as each individual has their own needs, gifts, experience and abilities but there is ample opportunity to meet and work with others within a comforting and supportive atmosphere. Pagan Moots, workshops, classes and presentations are always available and all ideas and beliefs are warmly welcomed. Indeed one of the central themes is the belief that what you sow you will also reap both in intent and deed. The Wiccan Rede clearly states “An it harm none, do what ye will” and this applies not only to your fellow Human Beings but also to the animal and plant kingdoms.

There are an increasing number of people who feel drawn to the Celtic Spiritual paths who no longer feel satisfied by what organised religions have to offer. We don’t need anyone to speak to our gods on our our behalf – we speak with them direct; likewise we don’t need a building to act as a centrepoint for our spiritual activities as each one of us carries our church within ourselves and any place where we can connect with Nature we are able to connect with Spirit, the source of all that is and the Divine majesty of the Universe.

So take this moment to step out from the shadows, have fun with life, respect Nature in all its forms and join us by the camp-fire as we dance with the Ancesters and invoke the magic we all share.

Blessed Be.

Damian

Guest Author - BEing the Change - Sefriel

Damian — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:25:46 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I had another of those wonderful ‘coincidental’ meetings which seem to be happening a few times a week at the moment. I met a guy named Sefriel who I most definately have known through many lifetimes.

We quickly got round to the subject of the current advancement of ’strangeness’ in the world and the feeling that a ‘Tribe of the Light’ is being awakened and called forth to train others and prepare for some great, rapidly advancing purpose. These ‘Spiritual Warriors’ are able to easily recognise the similar energies in others and I asked Sef to Guest Author explaining what he understood as the definition of a Spiritual Warrior.

Drum roll please as I hand over to Sef:

To BE a Spiritual Warrior

Some say that the age of chivalry is past, that the spirit of romance is dead. The age of chivalry is never past, so long as there is a wrong left unredressed on earth.
~Charles Kingsley

What does the term “spiritual warrior” conjure nowadays? Some love‘n’lighter waving a crystal? The Loyal Arthurian Warband waging holy war on a brewery? Surely there must be something more that can be done to affect change and walk the path we find before us. I can do nothing more than tell you of my philosophy.

I believe that a true spiritual warrior must be of the old ways, not of paganism, but of the soldier caste which has survived through the ages much better than any ancient religion. To draw upon chivalry, to draw upon bushido, to draw upon the Nine Noble Virtues of the Norse and the warrior-monk precepts of the Shaolin is to hearken back to the true warriors of spirit.

A samurai would have a very simple tenet: You are a skilled swordsman, but there will always be someone who is better than you. One day you will meet this man in battle, and you will die. Therefore, you are already dead, and so each step you take, each breath, each action, is filled with life. Surely this is an attitude to aspire to? To live each day to its fullest, to know with absolute certainty that one day, you will die, and then your deeds will be laid bare before you.

Unfortunately, modern society does not favour this outlook, and instead of living each day until death, the world of today tends to die a little each day. To greet the morning with fierce will and intent, to strive and conquer one’s fears and insecurities, and to triumph, is frowned upon. “Never take chances, don’t go out of your way for others, keep your head down, have a steady job…” The mantras of the mundane, the bland platitudes of the masses forever beat upon anyone who steps out of line, and wishes to distance themselves from those who walk by on the other side.

In the same way, chivalry suffers derision from all corners. The Left say that it is misogynistic and chauvinistic, the Right say it is too bleeding-heart, and most people just think it’s outdated and useless. True enough, chivalry moved into the realms of the ridiculous and served to hole up women to be treated as livestock, but it started with people genuinely wanting to help others.

The idea that the weak should be helped by the strong, that those who cannot stand up for themselves should have a champion, and that sometimes Justice must be served no matter the personal cost is not useless; nor is it incompatible with the modern world. Okay, I get a funny look every now and then when I ask someone if they need a hand with something, but the usual response when I offer to carry a heavy suitcase up the Underground stairs in rush hour is of great relief.

This can be applied to all situations – strive forwards toward a better world. To quote a cheesy popcorn flick with some brilliant platitudes: “What man is a man who does not make the world a better place?” To seek out the opportunity to bring about change for the better, to find the noble quest and complete it, is to be righteous and holy. True, it is not the way of most people, but then it cannot be the way of all people. A Knight would understand that although he leads the household, without a stable-hand he would not ride, and without his cook he would not eat. In the same way, someone wishing to be a spiritual warrior must not entertain contempt for people who do not walk the same path – a spiritual warrior must see his place in the world and understand that it is not for everyone.

This in turn brings a revelation: Far from being removed from society, someone striving to change the world must be a part of society. The spiritual warrior must be a part of the system it wishes to change, or it is merely an enemy. To step up against injustice, to fight against the oppressor is laudable, but to lead others forwards into a better world is righteousness.

Herein lies the kicker: Those of us who have spent years, if not decades, avoiding the uncomfortable conversations with normal people must now turn about and embrace open discussion. Hi, my name is Sef, and I save the world. I invite you to join me, in whatever capacity you feel you may, without prejudice and without derision. Don’t follow me, just stand by me, and act when you feel you should. In right thought and right action lie righteousness, and together we will face whatever comes with joy, with life, and with courage.

- Sefriel

Many thanks to my ‘Brother-in-arms’ for that wonderful article and I’m sure that this is just the beginning of our reclaimed friendship. A big thanks to Sef for always ‘BEing the Change’ and for continually going out of his way for others.

You ARE appreciated.

Honour and Glory,

Damian