Newsletter from Jim Young

Sol + stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning "sun" + "to stand still." As a metaphor, the solstice speaks to standing still, looking at how we are living in the fullness of light, the brightest focus we can have on our spiritual life. A focus without judgment, guilt or shame, and with the affirmation and validation of Wisdom that waits to move us forward on our path. As the days grow brighter within us, we gain a sense of impending enlightenment, a sudden knowing, and the aha moment we experience as Truth informs us on a deep level. Indeed, enlightenment is not unlike the essence of authentic love, more than a thousand kissed deep--and it must be experienced in order to know the full magnitude of its power within us. Seen in the fullness of light, we then demonstrate a new spiritual sensitivity into being.

Krista-lee, fabric collage Butterfly Dance

Through the seemingly discordant times of our lives--before we break out into the light of our spiritual awareness--we are much like the fuzzy caterpillar that spins a chrysalis around itself. Spun out of the threads of our beliefs and opinions, and encased in self-importance, we form a protective shell around ourselves--which becomes the face we put out into the world, the clothes that shield our Truth from all around us, even from us. And yet, within that shell there is quite another voice calling us--calling us to be what we really are: divine. Sensing on that deeper level that living out of ego consciousness is not really living at all--while at the same time knowing that we are engaging with some magnificent transformational process--we give way to simply being with our true inner calling until we are ready to burst out of our shell and dance in our magnificence.

On another level, although we occasionally rest in seeming darkness, some essential spiritual images are not only regularly nourishing us, but also preparing us to break out of old, more familiar patterns. Now aware of those essential ingredients that assimilated with little notice on our part, we free ourselves of that outer shell of beliefs and opinions, and we come to live day by day in the fullness of our enlightened being. Much like the majestic Monarch butterfly, we dance about in the extraordinary beauty we now feel safe giving to the world around us. Indeed, we dance in our magnificence!

This is the inner journey we all are called to take and live by. Lilting, we embark on this inner journey, fully aware of the deepening affects it has on our lives, as well as those all around us. Be not afraid; the inner journey lights our way, and reveals the beauty that awaits only our awareness and demonstration, just as with the Monarch butterfly that inspires us.

Let's do celebrate Summer Solstice. Let's beat the drums and sing aloud. Let's gather in common understanding that although appearing different, we are One. And that by helping one another to see the fullness of our inherent divine nature, we also affirm the behavior that demonstrates divinity into every day being. Divine order thus lights our way. The world is all the better for it--and uplifted by it. May you see and demonstrate the Truth of your walk in the fullness of Wisdom's Light! If you can see it, you can be it. Indeed, you can fly--and will. Who among us will be the hundredth monkey? Or is it really the hundredth butterfly?

HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE!