Hm... still figuring out my journey

[ja...@jamesphotography.ca]

It hit me that in this latter part of my life (I'm 54), certain strong
interests have surfaced:

-Shamanism
-Molten glass & steel (glass blowing & metal forging)
-Sword & knife collecting (decorative stuff).

All rather archetypical. Been pushing away the shamanism for ego
reasons, but it keeps coming up.

Just sharing...

Jim

[bosco]

Hello Jim,

A thought for you, Shamanism is about many things, but ego is
definately not one of them. Unless that is what you are referring to,
and ego is running the show for you?

I do not say that as a provocation, only as a way to define your comment.

ben

[ja...@jamesphotography.ca]

On Thu, 3 Dec 2009 11:28:54 -0700, bosco <bosco...@yahoo.com>
wrote:

Thanks for the kind words Ben... to clarify, I let the pursuit go
because I found myself wanting the results without the effort. You
know - a cut flower with no roots. Now, I'm more ready to see what
this journey has for me. I'm realizing that my path is one of
spiritual learning and experience; I just needed to step out of the
way and get out of my head.

Jim

[bosco]

Hi Jim.

Well Jim, I wish you the best in your pursuit. If you have any
thoughts, comments, or questions, go ahead and post 'em.

There are some very skilled people here, present company excluded, who
have forgotten more than I may ever know. They are good people, and
helped me out when I was stumbling along trying to find my feet. I am
glad I have the opportunity to know them.

As for me, I know what I know, and it may not be of much use to anyone else.

My email is valid, if it is something you do not want the world to read.

ben

[ja...@jamesphotography.ca]

On Fri, 4 Dec 2009 01:54:26 -0700, bosco <bosco...@yahoo.com>
wrote:

Thanks Ben,

I'm still at the learning phase. You know - techniques and methods.
Like a musician, learning the chords before being able to play a song.
I've been hearing the music my whole life, now it's time to compose.
Perhaps not the best metaphor, but it suits for now. I'm half way
through "The Way of the Shaman" by Michael Harner. I'm struck by the
simplicity he uses to describe everything so matter-of-factly.

Do you find daily life distracting you from the deeper things for
days, sometimes weeks? Or months?

[bosco]

I have not, but others I know have found other worlds preferable to
this world. For myself, I have gained a better appreciation for this
world because I am now knowledgable of travelers coming here from their
worlds. I see the world once again as a child filled with magic so to
speak.

Some people that have hung out here learned from books, and others were
led or dragged into Shamanism. Harner is a great starting point as
long as you keep in mind Harner is the vanilla ice cream of Shamanism.
Harner collected and wrote about commonalities of all Shamanic peoples
he was able to observe. At any rate Harner can open a lot of doors in a
few pages.

If, or when you are able to go into other worlds use your street
smarts, do not take anything at face value, and never bring anything
back with you. Other worlds are every bit as deadly as walking through
a ghetto here with hundred dollar bills falling out of you pockets.
Just like here not everything you may have interaction with has your
best interest in mind.

Good luck,

ben

[bosco]

One last comment I should have included in my thoughts. Not to be
intrusive into your path, but be aware you may be experiencing either a
conscription or recruitment process so to speak. Ensure you know what
and where your boundries are as you may be forced to choose a course
before you even have a map.

ben

[ja...@jamesphotography.ca]

On Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:49:07 -0700, bosco <bosco...@yahoo.com>
wrote:

Very interesting point Ben, I will certainly be cautious. Thank you
for all your thoughts.

Cheers,

Jim