Today was a phenomenal day. In a way, it felt like the first day of my life. How can that be, you may well ask. I can’t really say what is going on too specifically, as it is new and fairly full on. Today, I was able to speak to some of my male friends in a very different way. It was profound. It was tender. We connected on a much deeper level. We came to an understanding, which hitherto was not available.
As you may or may not know, I have spent a great deal of time in personal development workshops. I have traveled with a great mystic to learn of subtle energy. I have drunk Ayahuasca in the rain forests of Peru with a powerful Shaman. I have initiated and been initiated dozens of times over the last 20 years. One evening a few year back, I even baptized men in the Pacific Ocean! Many of these events are for men only. The Bridge is an example of a men only workshop. There is another event called The Grail which I have done 10 times. This event is guided by three women. It may seem odd that a men’s workshop is guided by women, but I will be the first to tell you that in its own sacred way, it works. While it is wonderful to be in sacred space with men and men alone, The Grail provides a whole different set of issues (like dealing with women) that come up much more frequently and powerfully with women in the space.
During some Grails, I have heard many of my friends and fellow participants refer to their wife, or their partner, or even their girlfriend as their “beloved.” Often times the man would be crying, just thinking about his“beloved” while in the sacred space of The Grail. I just looked at them sort of dumbfounded. I thought to myself, “Dude, what is that all about?” Or I would glance with derision and sort of laugh to myself. “What is the big deal, it is just a woman!” I am not alone. There are other men like me who are jaded, who may have been really hurt by women, or been angry with women, or just not all that connected to women.
Well, something has happened to me. Some layer of my protective shell has been melted. My vulnerability seems to be peaking at a new high. I feel really open, totally exposed, and willing to take big risks. I am going to try to put it into words the best I can, because I think this is really important. This opening has led to a powerful increase in perception, and a knowing that my life will have far more joy than I ever imagined possible. Seems like pretty good stuff.
There is truly something powerful and beautiful to behold in a male-female relationship. I just never got that. For me, being in a relationship was convenient, it was a way to have children, it was comfortable, and it was more satisfying than being alone. This now seems incredibly short sighted of me, but I can only tell you how it was for me. Now I am beginning to understand and feel the tangible magic of the alchemy that is available. It truly is magic. One plus one equals way more than two. One plus one can equal divinity.
Today I was sharing some recent experiences with some of my friends. We talked about a blog I wrote, and about my feelings of late. What it felt like to me was I had returned from a war, and when I shared my war stories, the other men had also recently returned from war, and our experiences were very similar. With some there were tears and others big belly laughs. I guess I was at war for a much longer time than some, and so did not know what was possible. I felt such a connection with these men. And these are men I know very well. We have been in many workshops together, gone through some seriously intense shit, and still, there was this underlying connection that I was missing. Unbelievable!
I am also aware that this has nothing to do with sex. For all the attention that sex gets in our society, this magic, this male-female connection, this portal to higher perception, is not about sex. I can say this for a fact since I know I am not having any sex right now. It is something much deeper, which can be expressed in a gesture, a touch, a word, or even an unspoken feeling. Our society is immersed in sex. Sex is all over the movie screens and television sets. And yet, it seems in this alchemical blending that sex is more of an afterthought, more of an overt expression, while the more subtle expressions of love carry far more substance and impact.
It all makes me wonder what is going to happen to me when I do have sex again? Maybe I will levitate again!
Another question that came up during my conversations today: Is there only one soul mate, only one person who can meet you or me so completely? I don’t know, and I don’t care. It seems to me, when you do meet someone, and there is this magical connection, don’t think, don’t compare, and don’t rationalize. Rather, as the samurai teach:
“The Way of the Samurai is one of immediacy, and it is best to dash in headlong.” Hagakure, The Way of the Samurai.
Just this weekend, I watched the movie Ghost Dog, one of my favorite movies which I have not watched in several years. I saw that quote, and was bowled over. It reminded me of a quote my Dad use to tell us: “He who hesitates is lost.”
This last weekend, I wrote a piece about what I want. Since writing that, so many little ideas and details about my life have come to the surface. For example, I think it would be great to work with my partner, as in creating an amazing project together that feeds us both and uses our individual gifts. I also want to do a bunch of cooking at home. I really enjoy cooking, and would like to be with someone who enjoys food as well. And, well, since I am at it, auburn hair and great legs would be icing on the cake. Why not have it all?
I am excited about my next men’s event. It is The Bridge on July 19th – 22nd. This awakening brings a whole new level to my energy, to my words, and to the intention of The Bridge. It feels like I can bring this awareness into the circles. Rather than derision, I can bring some compassion. The bottom line for me is that my heart is expanding, and that is always a good thing. More trembling, and crying, and marveling, and observing in awe. I don’t know what the future holds, nor which of God’s creatures will share my life, but this is a real good start. Today truly is the first day of the rest of my life. Ho!
