A Quiet Colorado Blue Sky Afternoon at the Stupa …
Don't apologize for the sorrow, grief, and rage you feel. It is a measure of your humanity and your maturity. It is a measure of your open heart, and as your heart breaks open there will be room for the world to heal. That is what is happening as we see people honestly confronting the sorrows of our time. … You don't need to do everything. Do what calls your heart; effective action comes from love. It is unstoppable, and it is enough. … The wave of the future is on the local level. … Out of this darkness a new world can arise, not to be constructed by our minds so much as to emerge from our dreams. Even though we cannot see clearly how it's going to turn out, we are still called to let the future into e imagination. … We will never be able to build what we have not first cherished in our hearts. Joanna Macy
In this time, we are being called to go deep within to the quiet place inside that knows the Truth and is called co-create a new world from that place of knowing. Let’s create a steady flow of traffic, co-creating with one another and that which Sources Life. Let’s LIVE! The Pivot 3-19-25
I begin where I began and where I ended last week’s Pivot. The deep dive I’ve been in, the explorations and listening I’ve engaged in, beginning to hone in on and bring clarity to my heart’s call, to what I cherish that is mine to do, to co-create right here at home. To what I can imagine and dream: healthy soil, healthy people, happy community in this sacred high alpine valley as more farmers and ranchers pivot from soil-depleting, dirt and dust creating practices to listening to the land and engaging in regenerative practices that over time will transform dirt to healthy, nutrient rich soil.
The vision has been stirring deep in me for some time, occasionally surfacing in conversation then all too quickly put aside for whatever seemed more important and doable at the time. I didn’t know where to begin. So, I didn’t. The dream seemed too daunting. So, I avoided stepping into the unknown.
But my time in the metaphorical kiva, the spaciousness in my life to explore inner and outer planes, along with this week’s heart-wrenching, heart-opening listening to those directly impacted by the chaos and discord (not to mention the devastation and destruction of lives in the war-torn world) has awakened me more deeply to the suffering not just of my fellow human Beings, but to the suffering of all Beings and, indeed, of the planetary Being herself. And to the need to be in action on behalf of all Life. NOW!
Feeling this sense of urgency, I asked, “what is mine to do?”. An answer came. Clear, concise, starting point guidance:
Ø Listen to the land.
Ø Honor the land.
Ø Support strengthening community to protect and restore the land.
Ø Trust. The land will show the way and will care for all Life.
Ø Act. One step each day.
The guidance was affirmed yesterday as I sat quietly at the nearby Padmasambhava Stupa shortly after listening to a Montana farmer speak about the uncertainty she and her husband are navigating on their organic, regenerative wheat farm/cattle ranch with changes in federal policies and programs and cancellation of commitments adding to the uncertainty that is already the very nature of farming itself. Her story, echoed by that of a local rancher heard later in the day, reminded me of Macy’s call to local community, to local action. From the heart. Now.
As illusions of certainty continue to vanish, I’m deepening my connection to the certainty of that which sources Life. I’m listening to the land herself and to those who work with her daily, 24/7 to grow food.
I’m examining my food choices with an eye toward even greater support for the local farmers and ranchers on whose shoulders my health and well-being and that of my community depend. As our local food hub says, “you have three votes every day!” I’m voting local!
And I’m mitigating the personal impact of the world’s uncertainty by listening to and following the certainty of my heart. Trusting its lead to guide the next step. And the next.
… and the Ziggurat Nearby