Enlightenment in the Integral Age

A Guest Contribution
by Isis Cove Community Memeber,
Gary Stamper.



I recently heard a story about indigenous spiritual leaders who refused to integrate modern methods into their marketing despite poor results, saying that the word would go out on the wings of spirit to the collective, that even if only one person showed up, they would be the right person, and that all the other seats would be filled with spirit.

I'm reminded of the story about a religious man who, caught on the roof of his house as the flood waters rose all around him, beseached God to rescue him. As two boats and a helicopter came by and asked if he needed help, he told each that he was fine, God would save him. Finally, as he clung to the chimney with water just below his mouth and still rising, he cried out, "God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Suddenly, a booming voice rang out from the heavens: "Whaddya want, I sent you 2 boats and a helicopter!"

While I honor traditional methods and beliefs, I also see that Spirit moves through us, and that we are the manifestation of Spirit. What we do in the name of Spirit, and in integrity, is Spirit in Action. I also see that we are evolving creatures. As we evolve, so does our deepening understanding of God and the Universe. We can only see where our current structure of consciousness enables us to see, not beyond, and our perspectives are limited by those structures.

In other words, that all states of consciousness, right up to awareness of the non-dual, are available to anyone at any level of consciousness, has been demonstrated throughout the ages. Shamans and Medicine Men and Women have always had ready access to those altered states of consciousness (ever-present, never-changing, the formless), but they can only be interpreted from an individual's stage, or structure, of consciousness (always changing, evolutionary). What it means to be enlightened in the Integral age is very different from what it meant a thousand years ago, as newer stages of consciousness had not emerged and simply weren't available.

Unless we become aware of ourselves as evolving spiritual creatures, we'll keep doing what we've been doing, and getting the results we've been getting. Yes, I agree that the talks go out through the oneness of everything, into the collective unconscious, but I'd prefer that it also goes into as much of the collective consciousness, as well.

Post-modernism must integrate the wisdom and altered state skills of the Shaman and the Medicine Man/Woman, and indigenous teachers must integrate post modern stage consciousness. Anything less is only partial enlightenment.

Gary Stamper is an ordained Shamanic Minister and Priest who lives in Isis Cove, Western North Carolina. He is an international award-winning designer, and facilitates men’s groups, the Shamanic Priest Process, Calling in the Beloved, and relationship workshops with his partner, Anyaa. He is also the founder and former leader of one the largest integral communities in the world and is writing and illustrating a book called “How To Live With A Goddess Without Singing Soprano.”

Reawakening in The Great Smoky Mountains in Western North Carolina
www.garystamper.com Freelance Design and Illustration services
Beyond Integral - the blog
WORKSHOPS:
The Integral Warrior: Embodying the New Masculine
Discovering Your Sacred Purpose as a Couple
Calling in the Beloved: Manifesting the Love of your Life
Big Love: "the proof of your embodied realization is going to be in your relationships."

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Month of Nekhbet Mother Mut

In Shamanic Egyptian Astrology a particular neteru from the Egyptian pantheon has stepped forward to claim an association with the signs and planets that form the symbolic basis of western astrology. The earth sign Virgo, August 22 - September 22, is associated with Nekbet Mother Mut.

Nekhbet Mother Mut is the grandmother of the shamanic Egyptian pantheon. Her origins lie in pre-dynastic times and she is associated with the crone aspect of the Great Goddess. Nekhbet was most often portrayed as a vulture. Her image adorns the entry to many of the temples in Egypt and she stands as the guardian of the mysteries. Nekhbet and Wadjet were known as the "Two Ladies" of ancient Egypt. Together they represented the unity of Upper and Lower Egypt and were considered to be protectors of the pharoah. Nekhbet Mother Mut is the Wisdom Keeper, the elder grandmother who loves us deeply and will not let us forget our higher calling. She is the guide to our Soul Purpose and she demands nothing less than our very best.

Highlights for the Month

The month of Nekhbet Mother Mut brings the third of four exact oppositions between Sobek (Saturn) and Wadjet (Uranus) on September 15. Sobek - the Old King - and Wadjet - the Great Awakener - have been in a powerful dance with one another for almost a year. Together they form a portal into a new level of planetary consciousness. The old way no longer serves us - the evidence of this fact is all around us. Wadjet has come forth to convince the Old King that it is time for new energy to be born upon our planet. Sobek is stubborn, he does not want to give up his power, but there is no choice. Wadjet, the cobra-headed goddess representing new life force energy, will not be denied. We stand now in the middle of this process. The passage through this portal is long and will not be complete until the spring of 2010.

Nekhbet is closely associated with Thoth, the symbol of illumination and inspired communion with the divine. Thoth is powerful during this month of Nekhbet and issues around communication will be at the forefront. It is important that we all pay attention to how we express ourselves this month. We may find that it is necessary to set boundaries with friends, family or associates. Strive to do so with conscious awareness - firmly, yet not with excessive anger.

The most powerful times of this month will be from August 25 through September 5, as Thoth (Mercury) and Set (Mars) move through a challenging square to one another. Thoth will be retrograde from September 7 through September 29, emphasizing issues around communication and providing an excellent opportunity to go within and explore our inner landscape. The exact opposition between Sobek and Wadjet, third in a series of four, will take place on September 15.

To add to the mix, Osiris, the Egyptian god of regeneration, death and rebirth turns direct on September 11, the eighth anniversary of the attacks on the United States.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, September 7: Free Phone Bridge - "Nekhbet - Hearing the Call to Our Soul Purpose" - 8 pm EDT.
Call 218-862-7200, Conference Code 869006. Long distance charges may apply.

Friday evening & Saturday, November 13 & 14 - "The Magic of Shamanic Egyptian Astrology" at Isis Cove, North Carolina. Join Ruby as we explore the Shamanic Egyptian Astrological archetypes within your own chart. Form a personal relationship with the Egyptian neteru who most wish to guide and inspire your life.

For more information and/or to register, contact Ruby at 828-586-1810 or email rubyfalconer@earthlink.net.

Ruby is available for all types of readings: natal, relationship, transit, location, progressed and right timing of events. She is also available for talks and presentations. Contact her at 828-586-1810 or email rubyfalconer@earthlink.net.

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Right Use of Shakti

Shakti is the kundalini and life force energy we all talk about. Addicts seem to have more than their fair share ha! However we can all do various things like breathing to cultivate it in our lives and also to find balance. Michael Jackson is a perfect example of someone who had an excess of this energy. Unfortunately, it appears that the energy overtook him (as it does many who touch into the archetypal realms) and it took him over the edge. Shaman’s have always been edge-dwellers, walkers between the worlds. It is only when they harness the energy with wisdom and sobriety that they are able to use it for their own healing and the healing and transformation of the world. I find that most people do not show up on the door steps of Venus Rising if they are not in touch with that energy. Most are looking for a way to bring that energy and passion back into their lives in healthy ways or discover the “right use of Shakti” in the world. Hence, we attract a lot of shamanic souls, people in recovery or people who need recovery, ha!
In love and service,
Star Wolf

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The New Earth

As far as the new earth, I think it is still in the works and a work-in-progress that depends on how much each of us is willing to shift internally. The way it all looks will depend upon humanity's internal shift, especially over the next few years. How can it change if we fearfully hang onto things the way they have been? The caterpillar is my teacher now: I'm trusting in the imaginal cells that are coming into form and waiting for the butterfly to emerge. The contraction and expansion are happening simultaneously as I let go, dissolve, evolve and expand in consciousness out of my egoic fears and restrictions and journey beyond the limits of the self.

In Love & Transformation
Star Wolf

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