30+ years shamanic practitioner and teacher • Weaver of spiritual practice into Life and Relationships • Best-selling author, award-winning books, videos, podcast • In-person and virtual classes and workshops • Subscribe for monthly inspirations
August: Releasing the Complete; Making Room for the New
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The theme of last month's newsletter was about recognizing when something has become complete. The suggested practice urged us to:
Spend time observing what has quietly matured in your life. Ask, "What is ready to be released?" Then notice what naturally opens as you participate in the rhythm already unfolding.
Like many of you, I found that invitation wasn't just for the newsletter. It became true in my own life. It became clear that what had worked before wasn't working anymore. Some of the things I had been passionate about no longer carried quite the same resonance. Even the life I had become accustomed to didn't seem to hold the same energy or vitality. Throughout the month, several shifts that had quietly begun in June became clearer – and increasingly alive – in July. I don't yet know exactly where they will lead, but they are already shaping what feels most important for the months ahead. What's BlossomingMy Substack blog, The Journey of Personal Evolution, has settled into a new series exploring authenticity from a fresh perspective. The seeds for this work were planted in 2007 with the first Spirit Paths program, which I continued to present for the following ten years. Spirit Paths: The Quest for Authenticity, first published in 2013, grew directly from that journey. More than a decade later, I find myself returning to those same questions – but with the benefit of years of lived experience and a deeper understanding of how authenticity shapes our relationships, our communities, and our everyday lives.
These are just a few of the questions guiding this new series. Rather than offering simple answers, each article invites us to explore them together through experience, reflection, and participation. If you haven't yet subscribed, I invite you to join us. I'd love to have you along for the journey.
What's On The HorizonThis ongoing exploration into authenticity has opened the door to an exciting new direction: Spirit Paths: Evolution. More than simply a sequel to the original book, it is becoming a deeper exploration of what I've learned over the past decade about living Spirit as an everyday practice rather than an occasional experience. That work is also creating a natural home for another subject that has become increasingly important to me: the cultivation of Alive Relationships. The response to this emerging conversation has been deeply encouraging. It reminds me that many of us are longing not simply for more connection, but for relationships that continue to grow, deepen, and come alive over time. I'm looking forward to exploring that journey together. Creating CommunityOne of the discoveries that keeps returning for me is that growth is rarely a solitary journey. We become more fully ourselves in relationship with one another, with the natural world, and with Spirit. Communities become places where that shared becoming can unfold. Here in Austin, the Shamanic Community of Austin and many other spiritually oriented groups are discovering fresh ways to connect, serve, and support one another. Similar communities seem to be awakening in many places. Some are newly forming, while others are finding new life and renewed purpose. Wherever you are, I encourage you to seek out people who resonate with your deepest hopes for a more compassionate and connected world. The future we long for isn't something we wait for. It is something we create – one conversation, one relationship, and one community at a time. I believe it is possible. More importantly, I believe we can help bring it into being – together. With appreciation and respect, Reader. I hope to connect with you soon. Gerry Gerry C Starnes, M.Ed. Consider connecting with the Shamanic Community of Austin. We offer regular live and virtual shamanic journey circles and other events. Don't want to receive monthly updates and still receive other notices? Follow the link below to be removed from News and Updates only! |
Shamanic Passages | Gerry Starnes, M.Ed.
30+ years shamanic practitioner and teacher • Weaver of spiritual practice into Life and Relationships • Best-selling author, award-winning books, videos, podcast • In-person and virtual classes and workshops • Subscribe for monthly inspirations
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