A Seat in the Circle

Cultural Appropriation comtemplation.

I am struggling to fully share all of the things I do in my energy work for fear of being seen as someone not trained or born into the lineage to be able to use the tools I am drawn to and using.

I am dressed in white wrapping paper and using drums, copal, rattles, shamanic water, crystals, etc. and growing my collection of tools as I am intuitively led to them.

I want to respect other people's culture and feel comfortable in my own skin following what I am being guided to do; use shamanic tools and practices in my work.

My intention is to bring love frequencies into the work I do by channeling heart energy and following the heart guidance I receive. My intentions are for the greatest benefit to the highest good (originally wrote goof) of all. I am here to serve.

AND...

I am facing my own judgement and anyone else's that is projected my way with what I am doing and offering as a service. I know there are many gifts available through this work and this is the work I am here to do. Working my light is going to challenge perceptions, break paradigms, and open portals to new worlds.

As I started driving to Sedona from Pheonix, I begin sharing some of this contemplation with my co-pilot Anne. She graciously set up a ceremony for us with a Lakota Elder named Daniel Ramos for our evening kickoff together. What was about to happen in a few hours? I didn't know, however, I sensed its importance for me to be there and was curious about what I would receive.

We met at a medicine wheel in town, and it is next to a labyrinth.

Of course.

Labyrinths are a peaceful walk of connection, and the medicine wheel is used in support of some of the work I do including the design of crystal grids used in client sessions.

Immediately, Daniel makes a comment that reveals he sees me, really sees me. He acknowledges the difficulty I have experienced without asking one single question. He is kind, compassionate, wise, and accepting.

A true heart centered man.

As we begin preparing for the ceremony, he connects with each of us one by one, giving us a gift of bundled sage and words of guidance.

When he gets to me, he shares three messages that bring tears to my eyes and peace to my heart.

1. You are Blue Star People (he saw it in my eyes).

   1. They come here to have an important role of assisting in the change.

2. You carry White Buffalo Calf Woman energy.

3. There is a seat in our circle, you are welcome.

What he didn't know:

1. I was questioning whether I was wrong for using indigenous tools and ceremony in my work.

2. My first drum I purchased was made with Buffalo hide and created by a Cherakee man.

3. I brought a silver coin with a buffalo on one side and a Native American face on the other.

4. I pulled an oracle card before the trip asking about the theme of the time in Sedona: Peace Pipe, which White Buffalo Calf Woman gave to the indigenous people.

What I received from him was love, acceptance, and the validation that using my heart will always guide me through any difficulty. He also said that he was a mix of many cultures, and that most of us are a mix of many nationalities. He also gave an invitation by sharing that that the ways are open and available to anyone that wants to learn them.

He gave me exactly what I needed in the moment.

I am eternally grateful for crossing paths with this most amazing soul brother.

Anytime you are struggling with judgement and projections, connect with your heart and receive the guidance from within. When we are operating in this way, the love is felt. Love is universal and timeless. Many of us are waking up to ancient wisdom carried within our bones. Accept that what is inside is more similar than what the outside wrapping paper indicates.

Unity consciousness says we are all one. I pray and dream of the day that is felt with a deep knowing in our human experience.