Some select excerpts from Recipes For Reciprocity and a short film

Another sneak peak into my book and a link to a short film that speaks to the spirit of the message I was intending to offer in the part of my book that delves into nourishing the garden within

The short film linked below reminds me of something that came through me and I felt moved to write years ago (and something that I feel rings true now more than ever before).

The following are some select excerpts from the Regenerating Communities and Nurturing The “Gift Economy” chapter of my recently published book (Recipes For Reciprocity: The Regenerative Way From Seed To Table).

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I feel that in order to begin to build a lasting framework for a regenerative economy (that aligns with 'keeping the gift in motion') we must first re-define what it means to be human.

In order to break from the old paradigm and shape a new one we need to stop seeking outside of ourselves and look inward. As each of us become reacquainted with the part of ourselves that existed before we came into these bodies (and will continue to exist long after) we move into an awareness that involves self-awareness and intuitive discernment.

This is the realization/state of being that when embraced by enough people, can be the catalyst for rendering the current system on earth obsolete and planting the seeds for a future of peace, abundance, and equality for all mankind. With this knowing, and the common ground that such a realization and truth bridges between us, “the corporate parasites” that currently thrive on this world would no longer be able to survive. Greed and fear would have no place in the midst of those who understand who and what we truly are, and so, people would not be swayed by those manifestations of the brain, propaganda projections nor the illusions of the ego.

The sickness of the mind that is greed and lust for power is a symptom of a society of humans who have forgotten who and what they truly are. Unfortunately, our modern materialistic and fallacious scientific paradigm which teaches that we are molecular machines (that through biochemical electromagnetic functions produce consciousness and self-awareness) created by nothing more than a rare cosmic accident, is one of the main sources for the toxic behavior on earth. As long as people inaccurately view their consciousness as nothing more than a phenomenon produced by their biology, they will live in fear of the perceived finality of death (a misunderstood process). This fear of death leads them to be motivated by primal (ego rooted) desires, including seeking out many unhealthy distractions such as a lust for material wealth, transhumanist delusions of digital 'immortality' and seeking to garner power to control others.

Thus, while the need for regeneration of the biosphere around us is indeed dire, the need for regeneration and exploration of our inner realms is even more dire. This path we embark upon inwardly need not be defined nor limited by existing ideologies or dogmatic belief systems, the important thing is that the path is embarked upon with genuine humility, open heartedness, courage and in stillness.

Making the choice to go inward and allow our spirit to take the driver's seat is the single most profoundly beneficial and meaningful action one can take to experience a fulfilling life on earth. For not only does inward stillness, exploration and coming to know your eternal self inevitably invoke beautiful realizations, remembering and knowledge, it helps one to attain a kind of lasting inner peace, joy, and knowing not attainable through any amount of outside stimuli, whether that stimuli be “education”, religious belief, material wealth, or even intimate connections with other humans. From this perspective we can move forward not purely for the sake of a benefit to ourselves as individuals, but towards a new path where the evolutionary process is consciously determined from within each of us to enrich the collective of which we are an intrinsic part. The transformation begins with each one individual, inside out… it is a path of unlearning, a path of deep remembering and a path that requires courage of the heart.

Some of the most beautiful gifts that embody the spirit of hope, kindness, joy and good will are those gifts that you arrived with when you chose to come to this world and live the human life you are living now. These gifts are inside you, they are unique to you and you possess them so that you can engage in the sacred task of sharing those gifts with this world.

When you take time to look inward, discover your unique gifts and then imagine a way you can use your gifts to nurture other beings to achieve their highest potential, give back to the living planet that gives to much to us and create things that express the essence of your spirit manifested in physical form and/or poetry for the senses, you are giving the most valuable gifts in this universe. No one else can share the same gifts that you can (in the same way you have the potential to share them with).

We approach a tipping point. As it is with a great storm that uproot the mightiest of trees there will inevitably come a time when the light shines down on the rich fertile Earth where it had not reached for many years, and the seeds that have been sown or lay dormant there will awaken and spring forth with new found energy and purpose.

Many claim to seek a path to peace, unity and the bringing about of a new paradigm for mankind while waiting for others to do the groundwork so that they can find sturdy footing. In truth, we are the architects and sculptors of the path we find laid before our feet. Not only our actions, but also the thoughts and emotions we choose as individuals are what shapes what will become our shared experience on Earth. For this world we share is influenced by more than just physical stimuli. Thus, the thoughts, emotions and perspectives we choose to hold within can also be gifts that we consciously share in our contribution to a gift economy.

Whether consciously or unconsciously we are weaving the fabric of the reality we will experience. We ‘vote’ for what this consensus reality we all share will become tomorrow with our thoughts, actions and our dollars (through what types of corporations and institutions we feed into perpetuating or withdrawing our support from), we ‘vote’ with our decision to speak truth (even when it is socially awkward or professionally risky) or outwardly conform (which in essence equates to ‘voting’ for the tyrants to stay in power and continue to garner more influence).

You chose to be here on Earth in this particular time (and critical stage in the unfolding of humanity) because you are resilient, courageous, capable of transmuting pain into wisdom, radiating light from within to make the darkness flee and serving as an exemplar to help those who are ready to also become catalysts for a metamorphosis. This is a time where each human is being given the opportunity to choose to embody the template for a new civilization. With the knowledge, skills and awareness we now possess, we are able to begin utilizing our innate abilities as human beings to align fully with the syntrophic forces of nature.

So now you see, the gifts we can share are myriad and the only thing holding them back is fear and ego. We can become a living gift that offers service to all of creation and in doing so bring meaning, purpose, beauty and abundance into our lives here as well. We can sow the seeds for a gift economy and regenerate our communities by sharing these gifts each day with grace, strength, courage, wisdom and love.

You are the sowers of the seeds of change and the remediators of humanity's collective consciousness. You are the gardeners that sow the seeds of hope, healing, remembrance, kindness, respect, solidarity and compassion (even in the midst of the cold winter winds) having faith these seeds will germinate and their roots take hold when the time is right.

You are not alone, our tribe came here in great numbers at this time. Go forth now and find the others, it is time to embody the template for that which will be and cut our ties to that which was.

As we strive to redefine what it means to be a human being, I invite you to also examine the stagnant and calcified perception we have of concepts like courage, wisdom and strength. Courage and wisdom take many forms... one of the most potent forms they take is expressed in the choice to become and live the authentic embodiment of that which you wish to see as reality in this world.

This means moving beyond just talking about a vision for a new paradigm on Earth, and into truly knowing this new paradigm and age is as real as the baby that has not yet emerged when the mother goes into labor. It means having the same faith and knowing you embody when you sow seeds in the rich soil, water and expect they will sprout and become something beautiful. When I say faith I do not mean passively wishing for something to be true, I mean knowing something in your heart and making it a reality through concrete actions.

Do not wish for a better world, become the essence of that better world in your every thought, perspective, relationship and action.

We can create oasis’s of health, resilience, and abundance in each of our communities.. we can become the solution, break from dependence on centralized systems and help others to do the same. It begins with the soil and the seeds.. and it evolves into nurturing symbiotic connections with those we share our communities with. Each of us can embody the medicine the land and our communities need to survive and thrive through the tough times ahead. Mother Earth has her arms outstretched and hands open inviting us to embrace her as our ancestors did to find strength and grace in challenging times through reciprocity and symbiosis.

Choose to live each moment as though you are using your gifts to create a piece of art that you will share with countless generations that will call this place home after we are gone... because whether consciously or unconsciously.. that is exactly what we are all doing.

There is no elected official, institution, politician, guru, priest, revolutionary or any other external force or individual who can do this sacred work for you.

We embarked upon this journey with everything we need to unlock/illuminate our unique gifts and the tasks we came here to accomplish.

We are the ones we have been waiting for.

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I hope you enjoyed the short film, the song above and those excerpts from my book.

May the remainder of July serve to offer you many moments with opportunities for deep remembering, communion with the living Earth, nourishing your heart through courageous and compassionate acts and moments that invite you to come into direct conscious contact with your Eternal Soul and the Creator of all things.

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