Since I first heard that The Well was shutting its doors, my footsteps and heart have been a little heavier reflecting on the importance of the space in my life. As some around the fire were reflecting on what The Well had meant to them, the flames transported me to the place that can only best be described as "home." And, I suppose that is what The Well has always been for me, a second Home where family gathered.
I am a child of the sixties and a generation that embraced radical change and idealism with a strong sense of independence and an "anything goes" hedonism. I followed the mainstream cultural dogma embracing the labels of success fitting snugly into a paper house culture best described by Gordon Gecko, who in the 1987 film "Wall Street" told us "what's worth doing is worth doing for money."
About three years ago, a great wave of change washed away all that I once knew. I had alienated the love of my life and two beautiful children, had lost my faith in the Church, lost our life savings, watched our home burn down and, for the first time, came face to face with the darkest measure of emptiness. It was the beginning of learning to live authentically and openly as I began journeying into the West. I had never felt so alone and completely lost without community or any sense of Self.
The Universe provided me a number of teachers in nature based and shamanic studies, an acupuncturist, naturopath, massage therapist and other guides with a handful of authors such as David Whyte, Mary Oliver, Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, Rilke, Rumi and Hafiz that helped me discover a new language, a hopeful vision and a deep soulful connection with the Beloved, the Land and the Universe that all along was silently awaiting my return. It was my first sense of true community and, through it, I learned I was not alone nor will I ever be lonely again.
Through much grace, forgiveness, understanding and self acceptance, our family grew together again in a beautiful way. Our home was literally and figuratively rebuilt. And, my amazing wife introduced me to Yoga in her classes at The Well where I observed an acceptance of teachers and students without pretension or a focus on the bottom line. That was a little over a year ago. Since then, I have come to understand an ever growing importance of community, acceptance and love - a belonging while living a life worth far more than money. It's what has kept us here investing in our community, local businesses and developing relationships.
Our culture seems to struggle to imagine a life beyond consumerism and soul-suppressing jobs. And our ability to become fully human does not seem supported by the "normal" day to day. But, there is a shift underway. Joanna Macy describes it as the Great Turning and that it is happening in three areas that are equally necessary:
- "holding actions" to slow the damage to Earth and its beings;
- analysis of structural causes and the creation of alternative institutions; and
- a fundamental shift in world view and values.
It begins with the individual. Each of us has a place in this life that truly matters and there is a yearning to become more fully human finding ease, inspiration, belonging and wisdom within. And then, it can shift to the Community. There is an interdependence of all beings and our relationship to life is cultivated through a greater connection to one another, our earth and all beings that are supported by it.
The community is the keystone of our future and can be a sustainable, cooperative, enriching resource welcoming all individuals. I believe that the community provides individuals and families with a sense of place and belonging, fellowship and support, purpose and meaning. I believe the community is not for excluding, but for including.
Now is our time to move beyond us and them, democrat and republican, christian and pagan, black and white, vegetarian or omnivore. For every line drawn to exclude, we can draw another line around and include. We are all one and are either building up or breaking down. Regardless of where you are right now, I invite you to build up. Did you recognize in this last election that both coasts of our country were blue split into two by a path of red in the middle+ It's time to come together.
Upon further reflection of The Well closing, I realize we are losing a space where we connect. But, the spirit created in that place lives in each of us and our lives have been undoubtedly touched in a meaningful way. While the Universe has other plans for that space, we remain open and encouraged by the Mystery that lies around the corner. Who knows what doors will open as the doors to The Well close. There will be a place in the right space and in the right time and, for now, we can foster the seeds that were planted in the last couple years. There are already many in the community opening their doors to one another. We are personally committed to manifesting even more of that. I'm reminded that the love that I felt from my experience in community mirrored the amount of love I gave.
Please join me in wishing Amy and Lance well upon their journey and thanking them for fostering such a beautiful space for us. The best way I know how to honor them is in keeping the Spirit and the connection alive. Until we talk again:
"This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as I live it is my privilege - my *privilege* to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I love. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me; it is a sort of splendid torch which I've got a hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."
-- George Bernard Shaw
Namaste-
Heart From Fire
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