What is Empathy? I explore the eymology, psychology, physiology and spirituality behind the concept in an attempt to answer this question. How do we feel the other? How do we know the difference between our feelings and the feelings of the other? The three major components of empathy seem to be: knowing, feeling and responding compassionately. We read books to gather knowledge of things we do not have the time or space to learn first hand. Tuning our empathy has the same effect but for emotions. We can connect with other humans and simulate experiences we have never had. In doing so we expand our awareness and are better able to live ethically and effectively with our fellow humans.
Category: Language of Renewal
how you onstruct your story
V&E Animal Omens: Wild Turkey
Yesterday I went for a ramble in the forest with a wonderful walking companion and we came across a beautiful, female, wild turkey! We tried to follow it but both the turkey and ourselves discovered that the path we were walking had been overtaken by a new-build subdivision.
It has been such a long time since I have written about animal omens and this encounter was so striking and made such an impression I had to know what message the turkey has for us!
Turns out they are messengers of abundance and in Spring they represent the beginning of a new journey of abundance. There is plenty to learn from this fortunate meeting in the woods!
V&E Poetic Therapy: Altarwise by Owl-light
Altarwise by Owl-Light is a poem rich with feeling, symbolism and spirituality. Thought to be one of the more surreal and challenging works from Dylan Thomas’ collection of poetry because of the heavy reference to complex philosophical notions of time and space and the deeply religious symbolism. I felt the potency of this poem from the first line and find the imagery incredibly inspiring and engaging. I don’t think the sentiment of the poem is challenging because there are so many lines that are really yummy to read just in the way the sound and rhythm of the words come together.
I found the experience of reading the poem and writing this article invigorating and healing for me. I felt like my mind had been stagnating and this was just what I needed to revive me! In addition to sharing the poem I have briefly defined some of the terms to enrich the reading:
Furies, Abaddon, Mandrake, Capricorn, Cancer, Pelican of circles, Adam, Jacob, Nettle roots, Hemlock, Tree- tailed worm, Eve, Skullfoot, Rip Van Winkle, and Antipodes, what do they have in common, and what is their significance? I hope you enjoy and I would love to hear your feedback!
The Ancient Wisdoms
The Ancient Wisdoms,
Old Welsh Prose from 21 Lessons of Merlyn: a study of Druid Magic & Lore by Douglas Monro. The ancient wisdom refers to the wisdom of the Ancient Druids and bardic tradition in Wales. The mythology of the Welsh Druids is often associated with the name of Taliesin, Merlyn, or Merlin, the wizard-like figure that J.R.R. Tolkien uses as a model for characters like Gandolph the Grey in Lord of the Rings. The ‘Wizards’ or Druids were actually the poets, philosophers, scientists, seekers and all- round wise men of their time. They have associations with other ancient sects such as the Pythagoreans and both were famous for keeping no records of knowledge.
Everything they learned was committed to memory, much of it was encoded and passed on verbally in song or poetry to preserve the sanctity of the words.
The Pythagoreans believed that number was sacred, for the Druids, it was the letter.
Consequently, they developed an intricate relationship with the alphabet. Each letter would have a plethora of associations and when each of those meanings combined in the word, it had tremendous power.
V&E Animal Omens: What it Means When You Find A Dead Bird
Dead Bird Omens are not as ominous as we might expect. Paradoxically, the death of a bird represents new beginnings. Spiritually death is not an end but a transition.
In that light, finding a dead bird might actually be a good omen. If you encounter one on your path or even if you accidentally hit one with your car (don’t do it on purpose!) it means you are about to experience a metaphysical death or change and the end of struggle or pain…
V&E Words: Diligence
Diligence is a keyword for our relationship to work and goals. But is it too limited? What is missing?
We have to know where we are going based on where others have gone before, choose how to get there, have a reason for getting there, buy the ticket, we cannot choose the route because it is predetermined, and we cannot leave unless there is a predetermined stop. Sound familiar?
V&E Poetic Therapy: Diligence Is to Magic as Progress Is to Flight
What is Progress to Flight? Progress is to move forward or onward in space or time. Flight is the action or process of flying through the air.… Read more “V&E Poetic Therapy: Diligence Is to Magic as Progress Is to Flight”
ASMR for Procrastination
Relaxing video for procrastinators. ASMRtist Olivia Kissper uses water sounds and face brushing to help relax you and discusses procrastination and how she believes we can overcome the habit.
