Well, maybe not everything, but I venture to say that I learned more about spiritual and life principles during the 14 years I worked in various jails than I ever could have by studying with a zen master or learning how to meditate with a self-professed mindful meditation instructor or guru. Of course my training has added depth to what I have come to understand, but no way would I be the person I am today had I not lead the life I have.
Recently, I have felt a bit challenged by a paradigm that gauges your level of expertise (let alone worthiness) by who you studied with or how many years (or dollars) you spent "earning" your level of enlightenment, or, better yet, who "certified" you through what "accredited" body of "authorities" in your chosen field.
Don't get me wrong, as both a teacher and a student, I'm all for focused study and honing your craft. I wouldn't have surgery performed by an on-line certificated doctor or an amazon jungle shaman (unless it was the absolute only option and my life depended on it). No one becomes proficient without training and practice, but when you're asked "who taught you to meditate?" or what medicine man in what jungle put you through years of humiliation so you can call yourself a shaman (and know in advance that the answer will immediately categorize me as qualified or unqualified) it causes me to wonder.
Number 1, I wonder when we decided there was one right way. I wonder how much we unconsciously qualify or disqualify folks based on what we have come to believe is the only way or the "right" way. I also wonder how much our own judgments prevent us from seeing the inherent gifts in the people that surround us. Even my husband, who is an incredible musician who can play (really well) over 7 instruments. But, because he doesn't read music (his amzingly talented ears does the "seeing" for him) there a lot of people who say he's not really a musician.
I know, I know, some of this really does matter. But recently, I moved to state where a "Hypnotist" is classified as a "fortune teller clairvoyant." And, when it comes right down to it, most of what has shaped me I honestly did learn during my 14 years working in jails.
So, what did I learn?
1. Most people have been conditioned to think and be who they think themselves to be and a lot of that conditioning is pretty screwed up.
2. Compassion is a choice and without it you can not serve. If you judge someone, or see them as damaged or less than, you can't really serve them from a place of potential and possibility.
3. If you think you know everything and are not curious about learning more, or open to the idea that you don't really have it all figured out, your gonna miss a lot of pretty amazing stuff!
4. Being conscious is not about being perfect. Rather, being conscious is about being aware of your inner dialogues, the beliefs that are driving your experiences, and being aware of your surroundings and the influence they have on your energy and thoughts - and behaviors.
5. Intuition can save your life - or at least will direct you in the direction of your highest good and may carry you in a different direction than others might agree is "the right way." In spite of living in a world that is reliant on us not trusting ourselves or knowing how to meet our needs, intuition is an inherent gift that has helped me understand how to approach someone that is especially tender (or volatile, as was the case in the jail), and it has helped me in the areas of timing, relationships, and even how to heal a body that all the medically trained sages told me was impossible to heal.
6. You can not heal that which you harbor hate, resentment, judgment, "othering", disrespect, elitism, guilt or shame towards. This includes our bodies, relationships, politics, or the world.
7. There really isn't a "one way" or absolute "right and only way" to some unatainable level of absolute spiritual perfection or so-called enlightenment. What works for one may not work for another. God speaks to us and through us in some incredibly unique and amazing ways. Just because I don't see spaceships or have had an E.T. experience doesnlt mean they don't exist. My belief in something might influence my experience but it doesn't necessarily make it TRUE with a capital "T."
8. Honoring resonance in self and others makes sacred space for building a sense of deep, mutual respect and self trust in the world. We would spend a whole lot less time recruiting or trying to change or fix ourselves or others and instead open our eyes to the amazing array of individual-ness and uniquenesses that make up our incredible world. Just because I don't resonate with piercing far off places on my body does not mean someone who does is any less of a good person than I am. Even my husband is better liked since he cut his hair and covered up his tatoos. Somehow we live in a world where long hair equates to "bum" and someone you don't want to be seen with, let alone "like." How "enlightened" is that?
9. The fact that someone eats meat ( I do), drinks wine (I don't), loves making love to their husband (I do), watches television (I do), isn't perfect (I'm not) or still has human qualities (I do), doesn't claim one religious affiliation (I don't - as of today), occasionally acts like an idiot (I do) or only eats organic (I don't) doesn't mean they are any less than or more than anyone else - or worthy of your attention. Thank God we come in different flavors and colors - all bringing a unique texture to the very fabric of humanity. Otherwise I'd be bored by now!
10. True depth of spirit and character requires us to expand our thinking and go beyond our assumptions and beliefs. Being open is not "wishy washy." Rather, being open creates massive opportunity to grow and become more compassionate and loving in the world.
So, join the dialogue, tell me what you have learned about the world and even if you don't have a certificate that you're still paying for in expensive student loans, or have list of commonly accepted qualifications and credentials, I'll listen to you! Leave a comment!
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