#Photo blog

Random events

We remember our lives through the photo's we took. Here is a few random photo's taken in the last three months, showing the people that surrounds me.

1) Here I am with some of my co-workers last year at the Oracle User Group Conference

2) My daughter's beach birthday party - Looks like a happy bunch

3) At a workshop at Diemersfontein with my co-workers

4) My daughter proudlywearing her Tai Chi T-shirt

5) My Children walking the dogs on the beach. - They are growing up fast

6) My son in a play where he was the Alien in space

7) My son participating in his StageCoach training where they learn Drama, Dancing and Singing.

8) Friends joining in a dress up at another drama event of my son.

The course best for all

Contemplation

The week is nearing its end and I am still continuing to ponder the path of transformation which is so vital in alchemy as well as in the way of the Warrior-Wizard.  This journey of contemplation started by being true to myself and accepting myself  without judgement. It is vital that we understand what gifts we were given in this life. Our natural talents and capabilities were not cultivated but received. Discovering the true nature of who "I" am is an important part of the path set out here. Not only is there the physical "I" but also the divine "I" within us that is connected to God, the higher self that is guiding us if we allow ourselves to link into that part of us.  The path of transformation is about bringing the physical manifesting I's in attunement with the one singular observing I that is aware of our actions, feelings and thoughts.

The transformation is allowing us to allow the divine to flow into this world through us. When we start on that path of transformation our own needs begins to become less important and what we do for others become more. The transformation is activating an oscilation between the I and the We.  The insights needed for the growth of our soul lies in understanding how the individual transforms to the benefit of the collective. The I is not however sacrificed to the collective but it is transformed to express better the best qualities given into the I.

From an individual's perspective we walk alone on this earth. We experience things from our perspective. Yes we can share experiences but we can never feel or experience life as other's do. Our life experience is a unique collection of thoughts, emotions and actions that are connected with individuality. By observing how these things are expressed through us and seeing them from the perspective of the eternal I...the observer within we develop the consciousness and conscience to mold and direct how these combine and harmonise in alignment with who we truly are.

The individuality is manifesting itself in the collective. The I's transformation towards wholeness to permeate the collective and from its own wholeness begin to heal  the collective so that it become whole as well. Our experiences manifest itself in how we relate with the people around us. Wholeness that does not heal and edify others are just an illusion. The true characteristic of wholeness is its edifying influence on a community irrespective of how that community operates.

This is victory for the Warrior Wizard: When we changes who we are to become an edifying influence on the collective. Yes the Warrior-Wizard searches for power, wisdom and love but not for self gain alone, but to serve the community and be an influence that is positive. This of course does not mean that all action is received with open arms...sometimes to be the influence that is coming from the core needs determination and focus.

The tenacity not to be drowned in the negativity caught in the collective but to move beyond that by linking to divine guidance. When the Warrior-Wizard acts from divine wisdom, will and love he sees the manifesting world from a different viewpoint. This is the essence of the transformation when the I see itself acting on the collective and choose its path to edify the collective.  That is the essence of transformation  - to maintain the course that is best for all.

+ Othelo ++ Raidho +++ Kenaz --- Sowilo -- Mannaz - Jera

Presence

The aim of transformation

#Presence is your togetherness in any given moment. There are people who just have a presence that can be felt. People here in South Africa says that Nelson Mandela is such a man. Even at an old and frail age they still talk about his presence. #Gurdjieff seem to have a similar trait...his presence is the one thing that all his students agreed with.  Jesus Christ must have had a similar presence...his presence all agree had a godly character that must be acknowledged irrespective your faith. Buddha, the prophet Muhammad and many more seem to have had something that set them apart which we can call presence. Gurdjieff wrote about being as that quality of togetherness.

When we talk about becoming, or transforming...then it is transforming our inner togetherness. It is about bringing together the "I am", "I have", "I know" and "I become" to a single moment of presence. Presence is ever changing depending on our health, emotions and mental state. That is the essential thing we aim to transform in the spiritual path of the Warrior-Wizard's way. This is the objective of the spiritual quest, the personal mythology or the inner work on oneself. We recognise the change in presence when our consciousness shifts to increased wisdom, and when our conscience becomes more attuned to love. Where #consciousness and #conscience meet the reconciling impulse between the two is WILL.

Presence is created when we choos consciously who we are becoming and when we consciously choose our path of transformation. When we begin to make the correct decisions we discover beauty, harmony and balance in our presence.  True presence is an expression of wisdom, will and love in a harmonious and balanced manner. That is the true aspiration of the Warrior-Wizard way. Alchemy in life is turning an ordinary life into a life richer in presence.

+ Othelo ++ Raidho = Kenaz -- Mannaz - Jera

The task of transformation

Contemplation

My #contemplation today revolve around four basic #questions: Who am I, What am I becoming, What do I experience, How do I relate. These are based on our universal task of #transformation where we transform who we are so that we more fully realise our full #potential in life

Who am I? Your current existence is a product of your environment, history, education and genetics. You environment you can change but that usually requires effort. Your history is done and can not be changed...however we can change our perspective on our history, we can change the stories we tell about our history. Education can be challenged...if and only if we become aware of how education is influencing our behaviour. Genetics we can not change but we can always aquire habits to optimise our natural skills and abilities. 

What am I becoming? When we set our targets, dreams and hopes we need to consider that which has brought us to the present. We need to accept us totally because moving forward is impossible while we reject that which is part of us. Accepting does not mean to surrender ourselves to it but it means that we accept it as the raw material at our disposal for us to transform in this life. When we transform weaknesses into strengths and strong points into the foundational pillars of our being we evolve.

Who am I? What will I transform into?.... You are the butterfly of your thoughts

What do I experience? The path between where we are and what we are becoming is the adventure. The adventure lies precisely in the ability assess the result of our behavior and then continually learn and make changes to optimise our living circumstances. These changes work both to changing how we perceive our current situation but also reassessing whether the targets we set for ourselve and the hopes we nuture are still part of who we want to become.

How do I relate? Finally as we move along from where we are, we must also realise that we are not alone. We need to look at our relationships with other people. Who do we choose to influence our lives? Are they people that prevent us from growth or are they people who contribute to our growth. Part of finding wholeness on our path is to develop healthy and whole relationships. Wholeness as an individual does not end with our individuality but wholeness must extend beyond that into the group of people we relate to. Certainly where we are in the current can be changed and transformed much more easily if we master the art of building healthy relationships. Through relationships we redefine our environment, rewrite our history, reeducate ourselves and we engage with a wider and richer pool of talents and abilities that can supplement our weaknesses.

Maybe this can be illustrated by a story about my boy from a #parenting perspective. I have such respect for him today for his behavior and choices. He always wanted to do debates. However a teacher did not like him and literally railroaded all his opportunities to take part in any culture event possible. She really was totally unfair to him and it upset me greatly since it really hurt my son's passion for taking part in debates. I vented my anger and disappointment in a letter but their was nothing we could do about it. In short however the teacher left the school last year and the first thing my son did was to go and ask for a subscription form to participate in the debate and also to try again to get into the school choir. I will support him totally because he shows a tremendous amount of tenacity...without our encouragement as parents. He knows what he is and what he wants to become. He took the bad experience and molded into a new #opportunity. That truly is #realisation of wholeness within himself. I am fortunate that I can use him and his attitude as an inspiration for myself to preservere in that which I belief I should be.

+ Othelo ++Raidho --Manaz -Jera

Prepared learner driver

#Comedy

Comedy sometimes jumps out to surprise you. Just sit back and laugh!! This morning I was sitting in traffic, aware of my surroundings, oberving people arround me. Then I saw a picture that made me burst out with laughter.

First thing we learn as drivers is to ensure all the indicators and safety measures of a car is checked so that we are prepared. Here was a learner driver that really take that literally and who was prepared for anything.....

A car was in front of me showing a HUGE L which means it might have a learner driver driving the car. On the right was a "Baby on Board" sign. Is the learner driver a baby? Or does the learner driver drive with a baby on board? But what really hit my laughter button was a big heap of toilet paper that was clearly visible through the back seat of the car. Clearly the learner driver was prepared to assist anybody who drives with him/her? Whatever the shit they get themselves into...there is help. Ha ha...for both the baby and the passengers....

Prepared Learner driver ...ready when the shit hits the fan.

#Success is not the end result

#Realisation

When we are self-conscious we know where we come from and we know what we what to accomplish. Our life is a process of trying to find out which route to take  to move from where we are to where we want to be. When we become present moment aware the past and future coalesches into the present through action. Yet the present moment is more than just function. Besides Function there is also Will and Being that permeates the moment. We need to cultivate the habit of freezing the present moment momentarily so that we can review all the factors that are present. When we froze the flow of time only slightly we engage into choice and the exercise of choice in our life. We have more than one path to our goals. It is not always the most beneficial to select the quickest path, even though that might be earmarked as success by the modern view of performance.

For the warrior the path chosen is the one which allows for the development of being. As an example you can set wealth as target. You can ran into a nearby bank with a gun and rob the bank. Let's assume you got away successfully. From a functional point you have succeeded in your goal but in the process destroyed being. Being is your own inner togetherness and wholeness. So although you succeeded functionally you, failed on the level of being. When somebody forces you to do something you might want to get rid of that person by doing what they want. You succeed on the level of function but fail on the level of will. In the Warrior-Wizard world success is measured in all levels. Success is when a functional aim is reached by following the path that follows a path of choice and the path that allows for growth in being and knowledge.

+ #Othelo - #Jera = #Raidho

31/01/12 - 1 : A friend's car broke down and we were left next to the road waiting for a mechanic to repair the car.
31/01/11 - 2 : I dream about different types of dreams. Your own, dreams of others in which you can enter and dreams within your own dreams. I am developing a system of identifying in which type of dream I am.
1/1/12. :Three vampiress sisters are fighting by trying to poison each other. The two younger sisters working together against the elder sister
3/1/12 : I am playing a musical instrument at a venue.. The instrument produces purposeful music. I find it difficult to play the instrument. There are judges judging me but they seem themselves to be confused.
4/1/12-1 : I am drawing a painting of an inanimate object.
4/1/12-2 : I am reading in a newspaper about a lady actress who killed her husband. He was her co-actor. Although the court found her not guilty everybody else thinks she is guilty. Nobody wants to work with her as co-actor
5/112 - 1: I am witnessing how 3 tigers are taking meat from a lion under the encouragement of their trainer. The trainer is doing it to proof a point about animal behavior.
5/1/12-2 :I am witnessing how a father takes over a couple's office in order to get married.
6/1/12 : I am partcipating in a competition where you have to be dressed by somebody else before you can compete.
9/1/12: I am experimenting with a random dream generator, which was designed by me.
10/1/12: I am practising a technique which allows me to use an enemy's force against themselves.
12/1/12 : I am creating a space and function where people who enter the space will be safe.
13/1/12 : I am owned by Dr. Who as a pet
14g1/12 : I am painting on a wall life size alphabetic characters spelling out in capitals YMCA
19/1/12: I am in a heavy armoured war against machines.We are a small band of human warriors determined to succeed. People are being taken over and brain washed by machines. We are about to make a last stand and change the course of the war. We belief we have the creativity and power to win. I am making ready a heavy suit to wear as protection.
20/1/12 : I am calculating my health points in order to figure out how to improve it.
21/1/12 : I am playing a computer game of warfare
23/1/12 : I am creating restore points in my life...that will allow me to go back into the past.
27/1/12 I am making notes of how to set up a camera to take pictures of unreal events.
28/1/12 : I am planning to compete with various people in a competition

Another First

Abundance of opportunities

We often do not put enough emphasis on first steps. Often firsts disappear in obscurity. Sometimes because the event itself at that point in time seems to be totally unimportant. Later when we realise that a small event started a big wave in our life we realize the importance and then it is too late to record the event. There is a time delay between the initial event and the results of that event. An event causes through our personal time-space continuum and become the trigger of a new momentum in our lives.  Yesterday I had a first time event that is worthwhile recording. Our #TaiChi teacher called me, to say that she can not do the class. She asked me whether I could take the class since I am the most advance of the specific group to which I belong. I could not resist the Toastmaster in me who urged me to say yes. It might be a situation where the blind is led by the one eyed king. But any opportunity to take the lead and be more part of a situation is attractive to a #Toastmaster, even if the event itself is a challenge or new. The session went well. I quickly informed them about the situation and took charge of the class...doing warm-up exercises, breathing, walking and finally some form movements. I appreciated again the life experiences I had as well as my #communication and #leadership development that helped me to actively grab the opportunity. I am far from a Tai Chi master but I have gained some valuable life skills that serve me well in the moment. I doubt if this event was a critical momentum event but it was a fun and memorable moment to have had led my first Tai Chi class. Enough fun to blog about it so that I can remember it.

Today I will be on the look out for more new things that can be grasped as possible #opportunities. We can never expand into our #potential if we do not accept challenges and new opportunities. We should be continually developing ourselves with skills and habits that maximises the opportunities available. The broader our range of options the more we have the possibility of choice and the more we can live consciously. The comfort zone is a boundary we set for ourselves within which we feel safe and yet within which we can stagnate so easily and become so rigid that we loose sight of opportunity in life. There are an abundance of opportunities in life .... but are we ready and prepared to see all opportunities? When we are conscious we can express will through action. To express will we need to be aware of choice and opportunity. Opportunity requires that we step out of the comfort zone and take hold of that which is new. The new can lead to failure...but rather taste failure than never taste progress and personal growth.

Developing partnerships

#Tips and ideas

Today, I fostered a new #partnership. Not an uncommon one. A usual business partnership where there is mutual benefit. Little is accomplished when we try to do things on our own. Partnerships of this nature might not be life long friendships but rather temporary reciprocal benefit extraction. I am always looking for #opportunity and a partnership always come with new opportunities. When you enter into a partnership with another person you open yourself up for new influences. Through creating new partnerships with common objectives we learn to be more flexible and we expand ourselves beyong rigid ideas. A partnership contains risk because it is easy for a partnership to break down when either party begins to draw more from the partnership than what is put into that partnership.

To prevent disaster it is usually good to find common ground in terms of objectives and how that objectives can be met. In a partnership all partners must know their contribution to the partnership. A partnership also must be founded on insight into the strenghts and weaknesses of the partner. So often a partnership is based on what the partner has to offer that the weaknesses and the deficiencies of the partner is not taken into consideration. I recall a wise man that said if you want to marry, then first discuss the divorce. There is an element of truth to this saying. When we enter into a partnership we need to have contingencies in place that consider the #possibility of disappointment. Once the commonality is established the best way to smooth a partnership is still through a contract. A contract might seem to be a bit of an overkill in a friendly partnership but a contract is needed in the presence of credible witnesses even if it is a verbal one.

 A contract sets out the common objectives and all the partner's responsibilities and the benefits they will get from working together. Within that scope the partnership must be clear about the conditions under which the partnership becomes threatened. A partnership does not always break down due to a failure of the partners but simply because environmental conditions changed. So a partnership must consider what are the drivers that keeps the partnership strong and that which counter the partnership. The consequences of the partnership's failure must be considered. For example one will have to consider if either of the partner's will be penalised of compensated if the partnership fails to deliver on the promise. What are the recource that a partner can take should the partner feel that another is not delivering the initial promise.

In essence...remember partnerships are important for survival and growth, however it is dangerous and must be well thought through to avoid disaster.

Manifesting your dreams

Thought for the day

I have a #dream. The time has gome to reach for the dream. The resources will be made free to allow me to make my dreams reality. It might be a time of difficulty to cross the rubicon...but the dream is not impossible. The dream is might not be rooted in reality...so the first step in manifesting a dream is to root it in reality. We root things in reality by looking into the cycles of time. Each thing has its time. If we expand our world of functionality into the world of will then we have choice...choice of when we start to manifest our dreams. Lots can be done successfully by the right timing.

Eating at the right time can be the difference between being healthy or obese. Working on the right time the difference between success and failure. So often our behaviour is governed by simply following the cycles of time. If however we embrace choice and will to choose....we can make a small crack in the time continuum and begin a process of manifestation...a process through which the dream is turned into reality. This transformation first requires a transformation within, where we begin to see how reality and dream is connected....and not seperated.

The dream is the wish of what #reality wants to become.

R-Algiz, Dagaz, Fehu