To Really Dance, Honor Each Soul

Freedom, Free Will, Body and Soul.

There is in every person an inward sea, / And in that sea is an island / And on that island there is an altar / And standing guard before that altar is the “angel with the flaming sword.” / “Nothing can get by that angel to be placed upon that altar unless it has the mark of your inner authority.” / “Nothing passes the angel with the flaming sword’ / to be placed upon your altar unless it be a part / of ‘the fluid area of your consent.’” /This is your crucial link with the Eternal. —Dr. Howard Thurman

Many of my conversations include struggles with painful relationships with people, systems, and governments, so I thought I'd share an adapted version of the introduction of my book, The Art of Ensoulment: How to Create From Body and Soul. It's a good reminder for me, too.

The Art of Ensoulment starts with a deep bow to the energy system of each soul/self/whatever you call it. The corollary practice is No trespassing on another soul!

I know full well that I am signed up to repeatedly learn that embodied freedom and peace require me to honor the sovereignty of each soul. Freedom isn't an abstract idea. It's mechanics. And it's why non-violence is the best way forward. Whenever we are inflamed and activated by someone, the wise come home to soul and, through soul, find the equanimous grace web that sustains everything. If you've ever felt peace, joy, or happiness, you've touched soul. Knowing that, soul can and needs to be nourished and strengthened to grow.

Here's the excerpt.

The Center of my Compass: Sovereignty of Soul

"Humans thrive when we are relatively free of other people's energies. We see the effects of imposing one's will in parent-child relations, marriages, religious life, recreation, work, and governmental systems. We learn that while people can trample and disdain us in flesh, our truest Self can continue unimpeded even in dire circumstances. I call this self Soul. It's the me of me and the you of you.

"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."

The guiding star for me of an ensouled life is sovereignty of soul. Soul is our root system, as automatic as breathing, and hardly noticeable until we slow down and pay attention.

Our challenge is that we are in highly networked, interpenetrating social bodies where our energy gets confused, binds together, and then feels out of whack. Both our soul sensations and guidance weaken. Sometimes soul goes off the grid of our consciousness, especially when there is little to reinforce it.

I experience free will as an organic mechanism of my soul. It operates to help me preserve the integrity of each living entity and the greater Web.

Freedom requires a free will. Free will is in our body and soul.

Engaging free will is not an individual task. It relies heavily on support that is grounded in body and soul. That support strengthens our ability to be "who we are" despite those who impose on us.

We diminish the sense of ensoulment when we enforce our will and need to survive apart from heart and soul. This impacts the health of the whole system.

For this reason, the Prime Directive for Ensouling Life is "No trespassing on another's body and soul without permission."

Plain and simple. Do not impede on another's soul. I seek to step back from another person's soul and center in my own nature. Equanimity, love, and respect come from there. From there, I am usually given clear guidance about how to proceed.

Ceremony, ritual care, prayer, and creative practice help me slow down and tune into soul.

When others perpetrate harm on me, I refuse them any power over my soul in body, for they have none. Knowing this, I navigate moment by moment, listen for wisdom, sync up to the powerful Web and ritually ground in Four Artful Wisdoms I;ve found on Life's Sacred Playground: 1) Honoring my Spirit Team, 2) Strengthening the birthrights of movement, voice, story, and stillness alone and in community 3) Divining my Purpose, and 4) Dancing with Suffering. From there, Three Directives guide me: Efficiency of energy, Clarity of vision, and Courage to love."

As I age, I clearly need the sobriety of serenity to continue to be of service. This quest is both a deepening journey into grace and a challenge! I need others more than ever who can ignite and hold the light when mine goes dim.

For that reason, I am thrilled to be hosting an 8-week series this Fall for Spiritual Directors International on Somatic Spiritual Companionship. I'm crafting it as a place where colleagues will be highlighted, share a story, and offer a practice. I hope and intend to elevate the wisdom of body and soul in collective practice.

The course isn't just for spiritual directors but for anyone who is exploring embodiment in their spiritual practice.

Guests include Coke Tani, Renee Bhatia, Marla Durden, Karin Stevens, Donna Mazzola, Carolyn Renee Morris, Linds West Roberts, Jamie McHugh, Betsey Beckman, Watts Trish, Manuel Falcon Padua, Hailey Mitsui, Wai-Chin Matsuoka, Connors McConville, Sheila K. Collins, Cassandra Sagan, Victoria Loorz, Christine Ng, and Barbara Jo Stezelberger.

SDI made a short video that highlights my invitation. Check it out and please consider joining me on this collaborative spiritual adventure! And, thank you, SDI!