TheArtofLivingYourDestiny

AGuideBookforAwakeningandLivingfromSoul

RevisedEdition,2011

RONDALARUE

CenterforSoulArtsPrivateRetreatsandApprenticeships

Ojai,CA93023

www.rondalarue.comwww.CenterForSoulArts.com

TheArtofLivingYourDestiny

AGuideBookforAwakeningandLivingFromSoul

Copyright©2008RondaLaRueSecondEdition2011

Allrightsreserved.

eBookISBN:9780984704422

DEDICATION

Thisbookisdedicatedtoyou,myreader,foryourcouragetoseekandtorealizeyoursoul’swisdomandway…

TABLEOFCONTENTS

INTRODUCTION:WhatNoOneTellsUsUsingtheSoulArtsProcessInThisBook(“FollowingtheThread”Exercises)AboutRondaLaRuePARTI:INVOCATIONChapter1:DestinyCallingSoulArtsExercise#1Chapter2:AtLife’sCrossroadsSoulArtsExercise#2Chapter3:LivingPrayerAsInvocationSoulArtsExercise#3PARTII:ALCHEMYOFAWAKENINGChapter4:LivingInTheQuestionSoulArtsExercise#4Chapter5:EyesWideOpenSoulArtsExercise#5Chapter6:TheSoulArtsProcessWithRondaSoulArtsExercise#6Chapter7:EveryDayAwakeningSoulArtsExercise#7

CLIENTCOMMENTSANINVITATIONFROMRONDA

INTRODUCION

Thegulfbetweenknowledgeandtruthisinfinite.

-HenryMiller

WhatNoOneTellsUs**

Whatliesbehindusandwhatliesbeforeusaretinymatterscomparedtowhatlieswithinus.-RalphWaldoEmerson

Thisisaguidebookforawakeningtothejourneyofsoul.Itisabookthatshowsyouhowandwheretofindthedeepestwisesttruthwithinyourself–aswellasteachingyoutheartoffollowingthattruthandlivingyourlifeofuniquepurpose.ThisbookismyfirstattempttoputtheSoulArtsProcessofAwakening™thatIhavedevelopedandteachinprivateretreatsandapprenticeshiptrainingprograms,intoahome-basedprocessofself-discovery,innerhealing,andlivingfromaspirituallyconnectedvibrantaliveness.Here’sthesurprisetofindingself-healing,innerwisdom,anddailyspiritualconnection:Theanswers(trulydo)“liewithinus”.Buttheseanswerstolife’sriddleslienotinthemind'spowertodissect,identifyandunderstand.Thesolutiontoourtroublesandquestionslieinattuningtothevoiceofsoulitself–anintuitiveintelligencethatalreadyknowsandlivesinacurrencyoftruthandwholenessandfaith.Somecallthisawakening.Icallitremembering.Toperceiveyoursoul'sownvoiceandinnerwisdomistodiscovertheartoflivingyourdestiny.Andtodiscovertheartoflivingyourdestiny,istolearnthatthisthingyouandIcallmyselfisactuallynotastaticpersonatall,butanevolvingconstantlygrowingexperienceofBeing.Weareart,artistandartworkincontinualcreationwiththecircumstancesofourlife.Wearemeanttosee,toheal,tochange,toexpand,andtogrowintonewlevelsofwholenessandwisdomandself-artistry.Here’swhat’sodd:Wearen’ttaughtthatthereareadultdevelopmentalstagesandconfusingchallengeswithgrowingpainstogothroughlaterinlife,justas

therearewhenweareyoung.Think“theterribletwo’s”werebad?Thinkpubertywasawkward?Orfrompubertytobecominganindependentadult?Whataboutthetransitionfromtheearly30’sintoearly-mid40’s?…Orfromlate50’sintotheelderyearsof70andbeyond?Eachstageoflifehasverydifferentdevelopmentaldemandsthatcallustoverydifferentsetsofperceptionandfaculty.Eachlifechallengewemeetalongourlifepath“outthere”intheworldoffersacallingcardtoapotentialnewlevelofuniquedevelopmentalwisdomthatcannotevenbesuspectedbeforehand!Nooneexplainsthatwhatweseeasalifecrisisisreallyasymptomofoldpatternsthatnolongerserveus.Nooneexplainsthattheseareawakeningcallstoseekandgrowintoournextlevelofmaturity,insight,andfreedomofauthenticbeing!I’veoftenthoughtbackonsomeofthemostdifficultturningpointsinmylifeandwonderedwhattheywouldhavebeenlikehadIknown,orhadaguidingmentortoteachmetheartofinitiatingaconsciousquest,cultivatingasoul-searchingseedword,andharvestingthenextlevelofwisdomwaitingtobediscovered.Ifyouarereadingthisbook,Ihavecometoknowthatthereissomethinghereforyou.Thereissomethinginyouthatisreadyandcallingyoutoyourowninnerreclamation,healinginsight,andsenseofclarityaboutyourlife.Myprayerandtrustisthatmywords(andmoreimportantlythe“seeing”thatthesewordsdrawfrom)maybesparklersoflightthatigniteyourowninnerseeingandawakenyoutothespecificartistryandgeniusthatistrulyanduniquelyyours.Iwillbesharingwithyouinthesepagessomethingwellbeyondtherealmsofintellectualunderstanding.WhatIampointingyoutowardismorelikethesoundofatuningforkthatcandrawyoutowardrecognizingandattuningtoyourowninnerwisdomandpath.Pleasedonotlistentomeinthisbook.Rather,“listeninsideofyourself”asyoureadmywords.Itisthere–insideyourheart–thatyouwillfindtowardwhat

mywordsarepointing.Infact,notruth,healing,clarity,orrealizationcanbe“had”untilorunlessitisfoundinsideyourowndepthofSeeingrecognition.Ifyoulistenforyourheartwhileyouarereadingmywords,youwillnaturallystarttoseehowtomovebeyondthefearsofthemindandstepintoaloveaffairwithyourownlivingmagicalandcreativeself.IwillbesharingtheprocessIteachinprivateretreatsandpersonalapprenticeships.ThisprocessIhavecometocalltheSoulArtsProcessofAwakening™.Itisanelegantlysimpleprocess,that–ifdonefully–willslipyourightpasttheoldstuckpatternsofthemind(beforeyourmindevenhasthechancetoblink!)That’sthebeautyandthepowerofthisartfulprocessIamblessedtohelpyoufindandfollowforyourself.Thislanguageofsouliswhereyouwillfindyourhealing,yourwholeness,yourclarityandyourpathofpurpose.Itisalanguageofvastperceptualintelligence.Andthislanguageisutterlyunrecognizedthroughthementalnoisewithwhichwesocommonlyseek(andstaystuck!).Thisbookisaguidebook.Itisa“doitandseeforyourself”book.Allmywordsandexplanationsaremerelyasupportiveframeworktoholdtherealessenceofthisbook.Therealessenceofthisbook,isinYou!Iusewordstokeepyoumoving.However,therealawakeningandself-realizationwillseepinandbeexperiencedbydoingtheexercisesattheendofeachchapter.TheSoulArtsProcessofAwakeningIuseasatoolforself-healingandspiritualawakening,providesaquantumleapinperception.ItquitesimplytakesyourightintodialoguewithyourEssentialNature.Itmaytakeawhileforyoutorecognizethisquantumleap.Onceyoudorecognizetheleap,youwillknowhowtosurrenderintoyourTrueNature,andyouwillknowhowtofollowtheinnerwisdomwayineverydayreallife--fortherestofyourlife!Ifyouenterthesepageswithasincereinnerseeking,Iamcertainyouwilldiscoverthewondrouswisdomthatlieswithinyourownartisticsoul.IinviteyoutoshareyourinsightsandquestionsalongthewaybyjoiningourSoulArtsCommunityonlineatrondalarue.comItismyhonortoinviteyouintothismagicalawakening,andtoyourownunique

pathofdailyartfulliving!RondaLaRue

OjaiCaliforniaronda@rondalarue.comp.s.Formynondualityfriends:Thisbookoffersasurprising(almostcontradictoryseeming)bridgeintofundamentalnondualrealization.It’scominginthroughanotherdoorwayisall.Enjoytheparticlesinthe

waving…

UsingTheSoulArtsProcessInThisBook:

“FollowingtheThread”ExercisesAttheendofeachchapterinthisguidebookIwillofferaFollowingtheThreadexerciseprocessforyou.Thebestwaytoigniteyourownnextawakeninginsight(orwhatIcall“TrueSeeing”)istoreallyenterintoacuriousinquirywithwhatIofferonthesepages.KEY:Asyoudoeachoftheseexerciseswithineachchapter,keepprobingandaskinganotherquestionratherthancalcifyingonan“answer”!Eachtimeyouobserveor“See”something(mostoftenthiswillbeafurtherquestion!),simplydosomethingtangibleasanhonoringacttoacknowledgeandtoreflectbacktoyouwhatyouarenowengaging.Thishonoringactcanbeanything,butitneedbephysicalandtangible(somethingyoucanseeandtouch)andofferedasa“giftback”tothequestyouareengaging.Dothisstep,andthequantumleaphasalreadybegun…IsuggestyoutakeaweekwitheachFollowingtheThreadsection.Getreallycuriousaboutwhatitstimulatesandshowsyouinwardly,aswellaswhatyouobserveintheworldaroundyououtwardlyasyougoaboutyourday.Youwanttouseyoureverydayreallifeastheplaygroundofinquiry.Inotherwords,letyourreallifebethegroundfromwhichyoupayattentiontotheinnerprocessingfromtheseexercises.Also,Iencourageyoutoenterthesamekindoflivingcuriousinquirywitheachofthewonderfulitalicizedquotesembeddedwithinthisbook.Eachoneofthesequotes–ifusedasaninquiry–willopenthedoorwaytoyourinnerseeingandawakening.Findonethatintriguesyouandfollowitinwardlyandoutwardlyforafewdaysasyougoaboutyourdailyliving!Thereishugespiritualmuscle-buildingpowerinthissimplepractice!Thedepthtowhichyouengageyourselfwithintheselife-expandingquestionswillbethedepthtowhichyouwillbebroughttomeetandexpressyoursoul's

purpose.Pleasedon’tmissit!

**Itisoneofthecommonestofmistakestoconsiderthatthelimitofourpowerofperceptionisalso

thelimitofallthereistoperceive.-C.W.Leadbeater

AboutRondaLaRue**

Curiositytrumpsfear-RondaLaRue

Forthoseofyouwhodon’tknowathingaboutme,hereisjustalittleintroductionbywayofhighlightingwhatthisbookisabout,andjustwhyIamsoexcitedandhonoredtobewritingit.Firstofall,thisbookisintendedtobea“turbo-charged”waytosharewhatIhavelearnedandofferinprivatecounsel,retreatsandapprenticeshipprograms.Theseprograms(someonline,othersinperson)aredesignedtohelpothersdiscoverwhatImyselfhave:theartofinnerself-healingandartfullyengagedsoulfullivingineverydayreallife.Theexercisesandprocessesinthisbookarebasedonmylifeworkasithasevolvedoverthecourseofalifetimeofformalandpersonalself-study.Itismostinfluencedbymyowndirectexperiencesnavigatingandtryingtofindmeaningthroughdifficultlifechallenges,betrayals,addictions,failures–alltheplaceswebumpupagainstinlifewheretheheart’slongingsandlife’srealitiesseemtocollideandconfuseandsometimescombust.AsfarbackasIcanremember,Ihavebeeninfusedwithadeepdesiretounderstandlifeanditsmeanings.Ihavelongedtoknowwhywe'rehere.I’vealwayslookedatnatureandchangeandnaturalevolution,andbeeninspiredbythenotionofever-growinglayersofperception,expandingconsciousnessandtheadventurousfrontierofseekingtheillusivebig“T’–Truth.Havingbeendrawntothefieldofsocialpsychologyincollege,andlatertosocialresearchingraduateschool,Iamendlesslyentertainedbythehumanspiritandintriguedbythemechanismsthatblockusfromourowngreaterfreedomofbeing.…IguessyoucouldsaythatI’mpart“Poindextermadscientist”,andpartlover

ofthepoeticandparadoxicalcreativemysteriesatplay.Itendtotakeapart,tinkerwith,andun-maskestablishedsystems,techniques,andbeliefsinordertodiscoverthedeeperessencethatliesattheheartofthematterathand.Iappreciatethemanyprofoundnuggetsthatexistwithinestablishedreligionsandthesocialsciences.Evenasayoungteen,Isomehowknewinmyheartandgutthattheremustbemoretothismiraculousconsciouslifethanweareseeingthroughthelensofoverlaidbeliefsystems,techniques,dogma,or“theonerightreligion”.Pleasedon’tmisunderstand:Iamnotagainstreligion.Infact,Istudyandappreciatethemanyrichtraditionsofallreligions.Ijustfindhowever,thatIammoreforthedeeperspiritualunderstandingandresponsibilitythatcomesfromalivingpersonalspirituality,whateverpathonewishestotake.Ibelieveinpersonalspiritualresponsibility.Ibelieveinalifethatisdedicatedtopersonalinquiry,innergrowth,andtheevolvingexpressionofwholeness.Ibelieveinalifededicatedtodiscovering(reallytrulydiscovering)howtoliveone’sLife-givengeniusanduniqueartistry,here–now–today–withalltheingredientsandcircumstancesofone’slife!That,tome,isasuccessfulandnoblelife.

**Mylifeasa“spiritualteacher”happenedtomequiteunexpectedlyandbysurprise.Itcameoutoffollowingmyownstruggles,questions,andstudiesarisingfromthedesiretoseekwhatittakestoovercomeillusionandfearandtohavethecouragetolivetruetoone’snature.Inmyearly40’sthisquesttookonamorecrucialcalling(asitoftendoesatmidlifewhenwestartaskingthe“isthisallthereis?”questionsoflife).Ifoundmyselfpulled(unknowingly)intoaradicalself-initiationandawakeningprocessthatledmethroughalonelycontemplativehermitagespanningoveradecade.Itwas“thebestandworstoftimes”forsure!Sincethatprocessofawakeningtosoul,perceptualdoorsofradicalinsight,energeticattunement,andsimpleeleganceoflivingartistryhaveover-seatedaveryintellectually-drivenandbusymind.Artistry,appreciationforparadox,andapoeticloveaffairwiththeMysteryremain.

Oddlyenough,whenmyfear-driven,ego-based,noise-makingmindfinallylostitsseatofpowerinmylifeandIfoundinnerstillness,Ibegantowrite.AndpeoplebegantocontactmeaskingtocomeworkwithmeinprivateandinsmallgroupstolearnwhatIcouldteachthemaboutpersonalself-healing,transformation,andadailyreal-worldpersonalspirituality.

Youcanreadaboutthisbreakthroughawakeningperiodofmylifeinmyfirstbook:ReMemberingWhoYouReallyAre:TheJourneyofAwakeningtoSoul.Thiswouldbeanespeciallytimelybookifyouarecurrentlyinthemidstofthedarknightofsoulorinthatdifficult“crossingover”fromego-basedunderstandingtosoul-awakenedperception.(YoucangetacopyofthisbookonAmazon.com,Kindle,andmywebsite).

TodayIamhonoredtohavepeopletravelfromallovertheworldtoworkwithme,andIamblessedtohavewitnessedhundredsoflivesthatwerestuckinthecircularsufferingofthemindfindtheirowninnerwisdomandanartfuleverydaylivingfromsoul!Ifyouhadto“pegme”assomething,it’dbedifficult.Ihavebeencalledmanythings:aZen-Shaman,aninterfaithmystic,amidwifeforsoul,anarttherapist,ahealeroftheheart,ateacherofawakening,aguidethroughthedarknightofsoul,ameditationteacherofconsciousliving–animpish“lovingbuttkicker”(thelatterfrommy2-yearSoulArtsApprenticestudents).IthinkofmyselfmostlyasjustdoingthebestIcanasastudentoffaithandtruthwalkingthroughlife,andofferingupalittlelightwhereIcantootherssimilarlyseekingalifeofsoulfulalivenessandthecouragetobeauthenticallyhere,engagedandawakeineverydayliving.Itissimplyput:mypassionandmyuniquedestinytohelpothersfindtheirs!WhatIhavediscovered--andhowIteach--isremarkablyeasy.Itisahugerelief!Itisalastingbreakthroughprocessofbeingindailycommunicationwithyourowninnerwisdom.Itisaprocess,infact,thatistooeasyforthemindtounderstand…Andthat’sabigBREAKTHROUGHwhenyoucomeforthefirsttimetodirectlyexperiencewhatIamtalkingabout.Thisbreakthroughunderstandingofhowtoaccessthewisdomofthesoulbyseeingaboveand

beyondthenoisy(nosy)chatteringofthemindisessentiallywhatIwillbeleadingyoutodirectlyexperienceforyourselfinthisbook.Thisisaguidebookthatleadsyouthroughaprocess.Itisnotaleisurereadnorsomethingfortheintellecttotryandgrasp.Infactifyoutryandgraspitonlyfromtheintellect,you’llmissitentirely!Theprocessandtheexercisesaredesignedtoofferyouanawakening:atruebreakthroughorquantumleapinperception…ifyouletit.Toopentoatruebreakthrough,youmustfirstexperiencetheprocess.Then,inhindsight,willcomeanawakeningself-realizationthatwillshowitselfasamorenaturalabilitytoknowandspeakandlivefromyourowninnerwisdom.Iinviteyouintoaprocess–intoyourownlivingquest.ThroughoutthisguidebookIwilltryandenticeyouintoastateofcurious“eyeswideopen”dialoguewiththedeepest“truthofyou”thatyouareawareofinthemoment.Ifyoufollowyourtruthinthisway,yourawarenesswillexpandandyouwillexperience(beforeyouevenknowit)thevoiceofyoursoulandthewellspringofyourveryowninnerwisdomandway.TheprocessesIwillbeleadingyouintotakeontheformofengaginganinquirythroughsymbolicdialogue.Thistypeofcreativeinquirycanveryorganicallyhealthesplinteredpsychologyfromyourpast,andshowyoutoasurprisingandnaturalwholeness,asyousimplycometolivefromtheauthorityofyoursoul'sownspontaneoustruth.Thisbookisallaboutthejourneyofawakeningtosoul,inreallifeeveryday.ItisabookdesignedtoleadalongyourownpathofhealinginsightandsoulfullivingartsthroughengagingtheSoulArtsProcess.InShamanterms,Iwillbeleadingyouintoareal-lifeprocessofsoul-retrieval–ormoreaccurately,intotheartoffindingthegiftthatishiddenwithinyourwounds,struggles,questions,andself-doubts.Inspiritualawakeningterms,Iwillbeofferingwordsandwaysasmereopeningsintothatwhichcannotbegraspedbyanymind-self,butratherisrealizedintheheartofonewhohearsthesongsofsoul.Itismyhonortousheryouintothisamazingartofsoulful,everydayliving…

PARTI

INVOCATION**

Awakeningisbecomingaconsciousservanttothesongsofyoursoul-RondaLaRue

CHAPTER1

DestinyCalling

Destiny

"Amaniswhathisdeep,drivingdesireis.Ashisdeepdrivingdesire,soishiswill.

Ashiswillis,soishisdeed.Ashisdeed,soishisdestiny."

TranslationofKathaUpanishad

-EknathEaswaran.Ichose,perhaps,anoddtitleforthisbook:“TheArtofLivingYourDestiny”.Destiny.Doestheworddestinyjumpoutatyouorcauseyoutowonder?ItdidformewhenIfirstcameuponthisquote.Isoonrealized,though,thatthereismore(muchmore)tothisquotethanmayinitiallyberealized.Thisquoteisshowingushowtofindandfollowourowninnerpathofself-realization.Thewordsinthistext,translatedfromtheUpanishad,donotsaythatwemustmerelygooutanddiscoverourdestiny.Thesewordssaythatourdestinyorganicallyemergesfromwithinourdeepestlongings.Thesefewwordsholdakeytothedoorwayofourtruenature.Theypointustowardalifeoflivingself-artistry.

Ihavenowworkedwithhundredsofwomenandmenwhocometomeseekinginnerpeace,self-love,healinginsight,clarityoflifedirection,meaningfulconnection,andasenseofrenewedpurpose.WhatIhavelearnedinthesethousandsofhoursandhundredsoflifestoriesisthis:

Weallhaveareaswherewesuffer.Weallhavesituationsthatwedidn’texpectnorknowhowtodealwith.Weallhaveearlychildhoodwounds,beliefsandblindspots.Weallhavelifedifficulties,challengingtraumas,betrayals,lossesoffaith,dashedhopes.Weallhaveprotectionsandweall

havevulnerabletruehearts.

Weallhavedreamsandlongingsandfeelingsweholdmostcherished.ANDsomethingmore:Weallhaveacertaingenius–thatis,weallhavesomethingofaspecialone-of-a-kinduniquepersonhood,orsoul.Therewillnevereverbeanotheryou.Notever!Notever!…Whatdoesthisrealizationcallyouto?

**

Yourpainisthebreakingoftheshellthatenclosesyourunderstanding.-KahlilGibran

FollowingtheThread-Inquiry#1:**

Mylifeismymessage-Gandhi

Ihavediscoveredunequivocallythatthereisanarttolivingfully.Thereisanarttogrowing,seeing,andbeingallthatwewereborntobecome.Havingcreatedartallmylife,Ihavelong-knownthatdeepdownweareeachartists’.Weeachhaveinsideofus(byvirtueofbeingalivingorganism)thecreativeurge.Andeachoneofushasanamazing,totallyuniqueartisticsense.Youmaythinkyou’retheoneexception:thatyoulacktheabilitytobecreative.Youdonot!Youareanartistbecausethatiswhatyoursoulandyourlongingsandyourheart’sdesireforloveis–anart!Allthatittakestofindyourartisticself-expression(akayourpersonalauthenticity)istolearnhowtobecomewhatIcall“eyeswideopen”awake,curious,andengagedinthequestoffindingandfollowingyourdestiny…Thinkofyourlifeforamomentasaworkofart-in-the-making.Howisartcreated?Piecebypiece,layeruponlayer,artisaplaygroundofalchemyforbringingnewharmonyandwholenesstoabunchofbits,colorsandparts.Wetoo,eachhavelayeruponlayerofevolvinglifecircumstances,changingconditions,inherentpredispositions,andgrowingnewawarenessthatweexpress--consciously–ornot.Tobeanartistofourlifeistobeconsciousandawaketoourexpressions.Tobeconsciousistofollowthecallofourdestiny–inaction.SohereisthefirstSoulArtsexerciseforyou.(Pleaseremembertotaketimewitheachoftheexercisesattheendofeachchapterofthisguidebook.Andinparticular,alwaysdothe“doing”partofeachprocess.Thisiswherethebreakthroughwillcome!

1)Whatisyourlifemessage?Whatmessageareyougivingtoyourfamily,

friendsandtheworldbyyourcurrentthoughts,words,choicesand

behaviors?….Andwhatmessagedoyouwishtobegivingtoyourfamily,friendsandtheworldthroughyourthoughts,words,choicesandbehaviors?Writebothoftheseoutandassigneachoneadifferentcolor–anycoloryouwishaslongastheyarenotthesameforeach.

2)Nowtaketheonethatisyourcurrentlifemessage,andgiveitanamethatreflectsitscolororattitudeinyourlife:“UntrueBlue”forexample.

2)Andlikewisefortheonethatisyourdesiredlifemessagetotheworld,namethisoneyourInnerArtist(andanyothernameyoumayliketoadd).

3)Thensometimethisweek:find,create,orbuysomethingthat,foryou,reflectstheuniqueinner“artistofyou”.

4)Placethisobjectsomewherethatisspecialforyouandthatstandsasvigiltoyouduringtherestoftheinquiriesandprocessesinthisbook.

CHAPTER2

AtLife’sCrossroads**

Thenextmessageyouneedisalwaysrightwhereyouare.-RamDas

Thereisaworldofliteratureandthousandsofseminarsandlifecoachesouttheretodaytellingus:howtoempowerourlives,liveourbliss,knowthepowerofnow,feelthefearanddoitanyway,createpositivechangethroughaffirmations,discover"thesecret"ofcreatingabundance(asonecurrenttrendyfilmputsit).Ineachoftheseinstructions,methods,andtools,thereissomeusefulinformationandvariousaspectsofpsychologicalandspiritualtruth.…Butsomethingisstillmissing.Whatismissingfromtheseapproaches?Askinsideofyourselfandlistentowhatyourownknowingtellsyou.Thatsomethingmissingisverysimpleandtoooftenoverlooked.Thatsomethingmissing(ifyoutrulyseeandfollowit)isgoingtoradicallyclearandfreeyourlifetoitsrightfulradiance.ThatmissingingredientisYOU.OnlyyoucaninvokeandthenhavethecouragetolearnhowtohearandfollowyourowninnerWisdom.Whenpeoplesharewithmebyphone,email,andinprivateretreattheirownstories(manywithterribleexperiencesofchildhoodtraumaandearlyabuse,difficultlifetrials,lossofmeaning,andconfusingtimesofchangeandtransition)Iamcontinuallyinaweattheresilienceofthehumanspiritandatthecapacityofthehumanhearttohealandtriumphantlyreclaimitsinnateinnocenceandbeauty!Whatamiracle,thealchemyofreclaimingourwholenessfromlife’strialsandtribulations,tobecomingmasterartisansofour

lives!Whathasbecomemysacredvocationandlifeworkevolvedoutofmyowndeepdesiretoseekwhatitistobetrulyalive.(Seemyfirstbook,RememberingWhoYouReallyAre,formypersonalawakeningexperiencesandthechallengestofindingthemeaningandthewaythroughthedarknightofsoulthatmeetsusatcertaincrossroadsoflife.)WhatIhavecometoknowisthis:

Wearemeanttoreclaimourwholeness.Wearemeanttopulloffthewrappingsofturmoilandstrifetofindthehiddengiftthatisuniquelyourowngenius.Wearemeanttobecomeartists–thatis,weareheretolearntheartofgatheringupthepiecesofouruniquelifecircumstances–andfromthem,createalifeofpeace,power,presence,andjoy.Andwewould!…ifonlyweunderstoodthealchemyoflife’ssecretgiftsthatliehiddenbeneathourstruggles!

I’vecometorealizenotonlyinmyownlife,butineachofthehundredsofwomanandmenI’vehadthehonororworkingwith,thattheamazingalchemyoftransformingourlifestrugglesintoourgifts,isactuallycontainedwithinthequestitself!Thealchemyisfoundinourchoicetolookatlifefromtheperspectiveofitsdeepervalue.Whenwelookatlifeandbegintobecomecuriousaboutitsdeepestmeaningandmessage,wehavetakenupourlifeasaspiritualquest.Whenwetakeupourlifeasaspiritualquestorjourney,thenwehavemadeaconsciouschoiceofopeningtotheamazingandevolvingpotentialinourlives.Ourstruggles,whenusedasalivingquest,areagreatbirthingofnewperceptionandalivenessintheheart.IoftenusethewordgeniusandIuseitliberallyandintentionally.Geniusinmyusage,doesnotrefertosomethingbornonlytoafew.Tome,geniusiswhoandwhatwearewhenwetakethecouragepathofbecomingradicallyalivetothequestionsofourlives,andusethesequestionsandcrossroadsoflifetohelpopenourheartstogreaterfreedomofbeingandconsciousliving.

Whenwefeeloverwhelmedorconfusedaboutourlifedirectionsandchoices,wearereallybeingpresentedaninvitationtolookandtodiscoverourselvesmorefullyandmorefreely.Lifetransitionsareanoftenawkwardtimethatoffernewpossibilityandgreaterwholeness–ifwedon’tmissthecallbyrealigningtoourfearsandblindlycontinuingtofollowoldhabitualwaysofthinkingandbeing!Ateachcrossroadoflife,wearegiventheopportunityofmakinganewchoice.Wearecalledtochoosebetweentheknownandtheunknown;betweenfearandfreedom.Soundslikea“nobrainer”…butweoftengettrickedbyconvolutedthinking(andfallalloverourselves!)aswetryandsortoutthevoices.Sortingoutwhichpathiswhich–whichisthedeadend,andwhichthepathoffreedomisofteneasilyconfused.Andhereisthekey…Weremainconfusedandsustainourinternalsufferingwhenwetrytothinkourwaytoaworkablesolutionusingthesameoldmethodsarisingfromthesameoldrationalego-mind.Interestingly,thisego-mind,withitsconditionalformofintelligenceisactually(andironically)theverythingthatisinthewayofourbreakthrough!Whatiscalledforatthesecriticalcrossroadsoflifeisactuallyaradicalreformationofone’sbeingaroundafardeeperformofintelligenceandwisdom–theinnatewisdomofSoul.Thecalltochooseanewwayislessacalltofindingaspecificlifesolution(whichiswhereweoftengetstuck),andmoreacalltolearninghowtofindandfollowamorelife-fulfillingpresenceofawareness.Itisactuallyacalltocharacter–tothecharacterofmakinglifeaconsciouslivingartistry.Inotherwords,itisacalltolivingmorevibrantlyaliveandreal.LifecrossroadsareabigcalltounwrapandbecomethebiggergiftandgeniusofYOU!Lifetransitionsandthedarknightofsoulareatrickyterrainandatimewhenagoodspiritualmentorcanbeofessentialhelp.Thereasonagoodteacherorguideisneededatthesespecifictimesisbecausetraversingthisinnerterraindemandsaradicalnewlevelofperceptualawareness.Theanswersandinsightswillbeone’sown,butthenewwayofhearingandsensingandseeingissomethingthatoftentakesthehelpofsomeonewhohasalreadymadethatperceptualleap.Theroleofateacheristohelpshinealightonthestonesofyourownuniquepathwaysothatyoucanmakeitthroughthedarkplacesand

seeandrealizeyourowninnerlightandwisdom.*

Asastunninglybeautifulexample,amandiagnosedwith“stagefourterminallungcancer”cametoseemeatmyprivateretreatwithhiswiferecently.AswemovedtohishigherauthoritytogetherinaprocessIcallSoulSpeak,hegotintouchwithhisdeeplongingandherealizedthathewascalled:“toknowwhatitmeanstotrulyliveandlovebeforeIdie”Thesewerehisexactwordsastheywelledupfromaplacedeepinside–aninnerwisdomplacehedidn’tremembereverknowingexisted!Inanalchemicalandsacredprocessoftwodaystogetherwedelveddeeplyintohonoringallthatheandhiswifewerebroughttoseemoredeeply–nottryingtoridany-thing.Thecouplecompletelyre-envisionedtheirmarriageandmadespontaneousnewvowsasIsatwitnessinourlittlemeditationhuttogether.Theyopenedandallowedthis“diresituation”tobeasitwasandtomoveandtochangetheminaholyandacceptingway.Todayhiscanceris–not.OriginallydiagnosedandconfirmedbytwoofthemostprestigiousmedicalinstitutionsinLosAngeles,twoweeksaftertheretreat,itwassimplygone!That’samiracle,butit’snottherealhealing,inmyopinion.Therealhealingcameinthetwoofthemfindingthatunshakableplaceinthemselveswhereloveandlifetruly

andfreelyreside…andthenhavingthecouragetoliveitinthemidstofwhateveroneiscalledtorespondtoinlife,includingadevastating“dreadeddisease”.TodaytheystillengagetheSoulArtsProcessintheirdailylife,arehealthy,andhappilyraisingtheirfamily.ThisstoryofradicalhealingandlifetransformationisabeautifulexampleofwhatIcallthe“holywholeness”thatspontaneouslyarisesthroughthisdepthofinnerseeingandcommittedaction.

FollowingtheThread-Inquiry#2:

1)Createaquietambianceforyourselfwhereyoucanbeuninterruptedforatleast30minutes.

2)Bringthesymbolofyourlifeasanartistthatyoumade,foundorboughtforthefirstexercisewithyouintothissacredspace,andputitinaspecialplacenearyou.(Create,findorbuyonenowifyoudidnotbefore!)

3)Takeafewminutestolistentomusic,dance,dosomestretchesorsomeotheractivitytodropawayfrommind-noiseandtoenterintoacenteredsensationinthebody.

4)Nowdialoguewiththeartistsymbolbesideyou.Letthepiece“talktoyou”byaskingittohelpyoulistsomeofyournaturalorinnategifts,talents,loves.Seehowfree-formyoucangowiththis:Whatarethethingsinlifeyoumostlove–andmorethanthings–whatarethequalitiesyoumostloveandadmire.

5)Nextasktheartistsymboltospeakdirectlytoyourheart.Asktheartistsymboltoenteryourheartandallowthehearttoshowyouwhatitmostlongsforinlife.

6)Findnowone“BigLifeQuestion”thatrelatestoyourcurrentmeaningoflifeandthatyouwilllivewithforthenextweek(orlonger!).Itshouldbephrasedasanopen-endedquestion,andnotoneaskingforaspecificanswer.Forexample:“Whatisalifeoftruerelationship?”“Whatisalifeofbalance?”“Whatisalifeoftruth?”“Whatisalifeofcourage?”etc.

7)Eachdayforthenextweek,putsomethingnexttoyourartistsymbolinthemorningtohelpyourememberthatyouareinalivingquestalldaylong.

Goaboutyourdayandpayattentiontowhatyouseeornotice.Putalittlenoteorsymbolofwhatyounoticenexttoyourartistsymbolasakindof“following

thethread”…

**Yourvisionwillonlybecomeclearwhenyoulookintoyourheart.Wholooks

outside,dreams..Wholooksinside,awakens.~C.G.Jung

CHAPTER3

LivingPrayerAsInvocation**

Theultimateresponsibilitytoselfandotheristofollowyourpathoftruth-RondaLaRue

Idon'tknowaboutyou,butformanyyearsIshiedawayfromthenotionofprayer.Idefinitelywouldn'tusethewordaloudorinconversationwithfriends.Itwassomehowoutsideofoneself.Iguessmydifficultywithprayercamefromanoldhang-upstemmingfrommyearlychurchdaysasayouth,andthechildishimageofsomewizenedandwhitehairedmanupthereinheavenlisteningforandjudgingourprayers.Iwentthroughmymorechicnewageaffirmationphasetoo:offeringupempoweredmini-manifestosasamini-god/creator.Thereisobviouslytruth,andcertainlypower,behindtheuseofaffirmations.Butforme,theapproachstartedtofeelalittletooegomanipulated-alittletoocontrol-basedinitsdrivingagenda,asopposedtobeinganofferingandsurrenderingofthehearttotheSourceofallCreationinwhichwearealreadyseated.I'vecomebacktousingthewordprayerbecause,forme,itimpliesanofferingupofone’sself.Itimpliesahumblingofoneselfinreferencetothatwhichisforeverlargerthantheego-controlled"me".Ibelievethehumblingactofofferingupis,initself,anessentialinvokingagentoftruetransformation.Itisbeingwillingtostepoutsideofself-identification(anditswishesanddesiresforcontrol),totherebyenterintothegreatermysteryofanunknowing,dynamicalivenessthatismyEssence.Mostofthetimewhenwepray--whileitmaybeverygenuinelyfeltanddeeplydelivered--itisstillnotfullyconnectedandinalignmentwithone'sdeepesttruth.Aswesawthroughpreviousexercisesinthisbook,therearetoomanyothercompetingdesiresandintereststhatwearescarcely(ifatall)awareof,and

theyblock(orinterrupt)connectiontosoul.Asweincreaseourawarenessbydaringtoaskthequestionsthattakeusintoregionstheego-identitydoesnotwantustogo,wewillnaturallycometoliveinwaysthatarelesscontradictoryandmoresynchronizedwithourconsciousdesires.Wewillbecomemorefullyavailabletoourdeepestessence.WhatamIsuggestingtoyouinallofthis?Iamsuggestingthatyoumakeconsciouslivingprayerafundamentalpartofyourlife.Notabunchoflittleprayersmade"forthis"and"tohavethat".Letthosego.WhatIamcallinglivingprayerisamoreorganicmeaningofthewordprayer.Iamusingthisword,prayer,tomeanaconsciouslongingthatarisesfromwithinyourheart(priortoanyword)andthatwhichyoudeeplyyearnfor,feelcommunionwith,andcelebrateasLifewithinyou.AlivingprayerisconnectedandalivetothemysteriousfeelingofPresence.Iamsuggestingherethatyouofferupalivingprayerthatisfocusedonyourinnerquestandthatshinesalightonyourdeepestlongingandsenseofwhatmostmattersinlife.Comeascloseasyoucantoexpressing(inword-prayers,dance-prayers,moaning-prayers,art-prayers)theclarityanddepthofyourunderstandingofSelf,andofyourintentformeetingyoursoul'spurposeatthistimeinyourlife.Infact,youmightnotevenconsiderwhatI'msuggestingasprayeratall.That'sgood!Thisislivingprayer.Infact,itmightbehelpfulactuallytoconsideritmorelikecreatingapoemthatexpresses–inheartfeltterms–thatwhichyouhavecometoseethusfarontheQuesttoknowyoursoul.Justkeepexpressingwhatisseenfromwithinthedeepwellspringofyoursoul’slonging….Pray,throughpoemordanceorartoraltar,towardthedepthofwhatyousense/knowasyourheart’struthinthemoment.Acknowledgeyourfearsandmind-tricksinyourprayer,butnotasanappealtohavethemtakenaway.Rather,offeraprayertowardfaithsurroundingfear,wisdomsurroundingconfusion;towardknowingandcomingeverclosertoabidingwithinthefeelingofyourdeepestyearningforthetruthofyourBeing.Asyourclaritydeepens,offerupadeepenedprayerfulexpressionthatreflects

yournewestdepthoffeltunderstanding.BeasclearasyoucanintheenergeticsenseandthebodyfeelofyourLivingPrayer.Exploreandfindyourowndeepestvoiceforexpressingthatwhichyouknowrightnowofyourawakeningjourney.Speakfromwhatyouknowastruthatthistime.Seehowcloseyoucancometowhatyoufeelastruthatthismoment.Whenyoufindthatcloseness,therewillbeakindof“goosefleshfeeling”-aninnerknowingsenseof"yes,thisspeakswithrealvibrancytothatwhichIknowasmydeepesttruth–orlonging-inthismoment!"ThatistheVoiceofatransformationallivingprayer!…Andalivingprayeralways,always,carriesyoueverclosertotheTruthofyourSelf.

FollowingtheThread-Inquiry#3:1)WhatisyourLivingPrayer?2)Spendsometimereallyclearlyseekingandwrestlingwithformulatingalanguagethatcomesascloseasyoucantotrulyreflectingthedeepestessenceofyourcurrentdeepestlongingortruthofthemoment.Orevenbetter:Firstsitdowninsomequietplaceandsimplytalkaloudfromthedeepestplaceofhonestyyoucansense…andthiscanincludeyourhumor,yourirreverence,yourpersonalitytoo!Itshouldincludefullvulnerablehonesty.Here’sthe“trick’:Atthesametimeyouareallowingtotalhonestvoice,simultaneouslyletapartofyou“hearyourself”speaking.Listentoyourselfspeakingaloudfromthatopencuriousplaceofsoul.Letthatlisteningplaceleadyoutoatruerandtruerspokenlivingprayer.Thisisaverypowerfulpracticeifyoufullyengageit!3)DOsomethingtangible–physical–tohonororinvokeordeclarethislivingprayerasyourlife’scurrentguidinglight.(Don’tmissthisstep.Itisthecrucialtransforming/informingone!)

PARTII

ALCHEMYOFAWAKENING**

Bepatienttowardallthatisunsolvedinyourheartandtrytolovethequestionsthemselves.Donotnowseektheanswers,whichcannotbegiventoyoubecauseyouwouldnotbeabletolivethem.Andthepointistoliveeverything.Livethe

questions.~RainerMariaRilke

CHAPTER4

LivingInTheQuestion

·Whatisthemeaningoflife?·Whatareyouheretoexpress?Howdoyoufindyoursoul'spurpose?Whatisyourdestiny?

·Howdoyouknowyou'reontherightpath?Or,ifyoufeelthatyouaren'tontherightpath,howdoyoudiscoverit?

Thesearethekindsofquestionsmostofusaskandgrapplewith,atleastonoccasion.Theyarethekindsofquestionsthatstirupallsortsofbooksandseminars,therapiesandpractices.Weeachhavethatbuiltin"dissatisfactionfactor"stimulatedbyaninneryearningtorememberwhowereallyare.Somepartofuswantsverymuchtoknowandtofullyexpressourownuniquegenius.Somewhere,insideourselves,wesensethatwearehereforapurpose.Oftentimes,andformanyofus,weonlyknowthisfeelingasasmallwishfulhopethatwehardlydareexpress:"CoulditpossiblybethatIhaveauniquedestiny-apurposeformylife?”Stillitisthere,evenifonlyasmallthreadofhope:"WhatdoIlivefor?Whatismypurpose?"Thesearelife-changingquestions.Theyareawakeningquestions.Thesequestionswellupfromdeepwithinoursouls.Thesequestionsarethecallingofourheartstorememberwhowereallyare.Ifyouarestrugglingwiththequestionofyourlifepurposeormeaning,ThankGod!”…Thatmeansthatyoursoulistryingtohelpyougrowintoyourheart’sdeepesttruthandlonging!ThesequestionsdrawusbacktothepathofSoul.Itisgoodtoaskthem,tograpplewiththem,toquestionyourselfdeeply.ThesequestionshavethepowertoawakenyoutoyourTrueNature.Thesequestionscontainwithinthemthepowerofrenewalandcreativetransformationbecausetheyspringfromsoul…

Andsoulisalignedwithcreationitself.Allittakestolivemorefullyandmoreauthenticallyistobetiredenoughofthestruggleandthepainandtheconfusion,thatyougiveuptheghostofcontrolanddecidetoenterintoabrandnewrelationshipwiththesepersonaltormentorsasyour“worthyteachers”showingyouthepathwaytoyourgreaterauthentictruth.IneverysinglepersonI’veworkedwith(manywithoutlandishlydifficultlifecircumstances)thewaybacktolove,innerpeace,healing,andlifepurposehasbeenbyenteringintoanewcreative“eyeswideopen”,curiousrelationshipwiththeproblemathand.Howdoyougetbeyondthe“you”thatisstuck?I’vefoundthatawaytobreakthroughintoourgreaterfreedomistoasktherealBIGLifequestions.WhenyouasktherealBIGlifequestions,youareactuallysendingaverystrongmessagetoyourheartandsoul(andtotheUniverse)thatyouareinterestedinlivingfully.Inaskingandreallydeeplyseekingtofindyourowninneranswerstothesequestions,youareactuallyinitiatingaverypowerfulquesttodowhatisnecessarytocometomeet,know,andliveaccordingtoyoursoul'sdeepestdesiring.You’veprobablyheardthephrase,“Youmustliveinthequestion”.Theartoflivingthequestionisacreativewayofinitiatingyourownbreakthroughbywayofturninglifeintoanactiveinquiry.Engaginginactiveinquirybecomesthepathwayfornoticingunconscious“stoppatterns”thatnolongerserveyou,aswellastheinsightswherenewpotentialisreadytobelivedinyourlife.Whenyoustepintolivinginthequestionthroughanactiveinquiryprocess,youbegintonoticequitesoonthatyourcurrentconfusions,angst,questionsandconcernsarereallypointerstosomethingmuchdeeperthatisaskingtobelived…InquiryandTheArtofLivingtheQuestion:Activeinquiryrequiresonlythis:Findingacurrent“biglifequestion”(suchasoneofthoseattheheadofthischapteroranotherthatarisesfromyourdeepest

heart’slonging),andenteringintoanopen-ended,curiousrelationshipwiththequestionasyougoaboutyournormaleverydayliving.Inotherwords,youletyourdailylivingbringtolightexamplesandinformationaboutyourinquiry.You“livethequestion”bystayingawaketotheinquiryasyougoaboutnormallife.Youbecomeastudentofawarenessonthehuntfortruthasyougoaboutyourday,keepingapartofyouawaketoobservinglifeasyougoaboutlivingit.Todothiseffectively,it’sreallyimportanttoavoidneedingan“answer”.Needingananswerwillprematurelystopaprocessoftransformationinitstracks!Theartofinquiry–orlivinginthequestion–requiresthatyouavoidgrabbingatanswersprematurely,butrather,letthequestion(theinquiry)itselfhighlightandshowyoueverythingithastoteachyouaboutwhatistrueandwhatisfalse,asyougoabouteverydayreallife.WhenIinitiatedmyowninnerquestinmyearly40’s,IhadnoideathepowerIwasinvoking…norcouldIhaveimaginedtheamazinglife-changingrichnessithasshoweredonmylife!Mylivingquest,infact,becamethemostprofoundthingI'veeverdoneinmylife!Ithasforeverchanged(andcontinuestodeepen)mywaysofseeingandrespondingtolife’sradicalintelligenceandsurprisingabundance.Infactthislifework,thisSoulArtsProcesss,mybooks,andallthewonderfulpeopleInowmeetandworkwithfromallovertheworldallcamefromenteringintomyownlife-transforminginquiry.TodayitismyabundantdailyblessingtomidwifeandwitnessthissameremarkableawakeningprocessinclientswhocometoworkwithmetolearntheSoulArtsProcessofself-healingandfollowingtheiruniqueinnerartistry.

(Forreaderswhowouldliketogetamorepowerfulexperienceofthisawakeningjourneythroughmyownpersonalstoryandexperience,Ihighlightmyfirstbook:RememberingWhoYouReallyAre.Thisbookwaswrittenrightsmackdabinthemuddleofthedarknightofsoulthatarisesduringtheclassicprocessofego-undoingandthedawningofaninnersight.

ItwaswritteninaverydeeplyvulnerableandpersonalwaywhichIhopewillhelpotherswhoarecaughtinthecircularegoic-mindandlikewisecalledandreadyforthatonesmall/hugeleapintotheawakeningtosoul.)

Ifyoucanliveintheinquirythisway–asanart–itwillteachandtransformyourlifeverynaturally.Youmerelyneedstayawaketothequestionandallowittoteachandinformyou.Astateofpotentcuriosity–evenifthereisalittledesperationtoit–alongwithanhonoringactiongiventowhatisseenalongtheway,isallthatisneededtoinvokeyourownlife-transformingprocess.

**Youcan’tsolveaproblemonthesamelevelthatitwascreated.

Youhavetoriseaboveittothenextlevel.-AlbertEinstein

FollowingtheThread-Inquiry#4:

"Whatisalifewelllived?""WhatdoImostlongtoexperiencebeforeIdie?""WheredoIfindthemostjoyorpeaceinlife?

"WhendoIfeelmostalive?”“Whatisachingtobemorefullylivedinmylife?”

Toinitiateyourownlifeopeningquestatanystageoflifeandatanycircumstantialcrossroad,startfirstbyaskingyourselfoneormoreoftheBIGlifequestions.(Theyessentiallyareaskingthesamethingusingdifferentwords,sopickwhicheveroneyoufeelmoredrawnto).Spendsometimewiththequestion(s)youselect(aweek,amonth...)Journal,read,meditateonwhatcomesupforyouasyouponderyourquestion.Goasdeeplyasyoucanintothequestionandletitshowyouthings.Don’t“thinkaboutit”.Ratherletthequestionitselfstarttoengageyourcuriositybybringingupmoreandmorequestions.Iurgeyou,pleasedon'tseethissuggestionofenteringalivingquestasaquickexercisetotakefromabookandmoveon.Sitwiththisexerciseawhile;lettheintentofyourquestmullaroundinyourbeingandstirandawakenwhatisinyourheart.Decidethatyou'regoingtokeepposingyourlivingquestionasakindoflivingevolvingmantra(asindeeditis)!And–asinmeditation–observewherethecontinualposingofthequestionleads…Whenyoufindyourselfwithanswerstothequestion,orwithmorequestions(whichisreallygood!),dialoguewiththese:meditateonthem,dosomeautomaticwriting,drawthem,buysomethingthatsymbolizeswhatyou’requestioningorobserving…Seehowfaryoucanletthesequestionsunravelintofurtherquestioningthattakesyouintodeeperterrain.

Bewilingtoliveforawhilewithambiguityandcuriosityasafreeagent–asasoulexplorer.Lettheactoflivinginquiryandquestioningleadyoutowardgreateraliveness!Followyour“odd”inclinations.Starttolookforthejoyoffollowingyourheartwhenitisgivenfreedomfromthemindandallofit’sfear-drivenandcontrolling“whatifs.”Giftyourselfwiththisoneplaceoffreeinnerplayfulnessfornow…PlayintheDivineMysteryof“curiouswonder”.Stayopen-ended.Stayinthemysteryofthequestionitself.Avoidtheneedforananswersothatyoucanmakethequantumleaptoawholenewlevelofanswerthatawaits!Askquestions,feelthefeelingofthequest:starttoattunetoanintelligencethatisbeyondthemind.Listeninsideofyourbody.Payattentiontoyourdreams.Starttoplaywiththelanguageofsymbol,metaphor,andcoincidence.Theseareverymuchclosertotruththanthemanufacturedthoughtsofthemind.Youcanreadmoreaboutthisonmywebsiteaswellassignupforafreehomee-courseaspartofmySoulArtsSubscribergift.I’dlovetohaveyoujoinourSoulArtsFamily–asmy2-YearApprenticeshavecometorefertous.

CHAPTER5

EyesWideOpenSeeing“No”&Finding“Yes”

**

Somethingwewerewithholdingmadeusweakuntilwefounditwasourselves.-RobertFrost

Livingourdestinyisanart;itisaWayofBeingwiththeALLoflife,asitarises.Livingourdestinyrequiresanartful,“eyeswideopen”honestrelationshiptolife.Interestinglyenough,whenwestayawaketoourlivingquest,wealsobecomeourgeniusintheworld.Ihopebyengagingtheprocessesinthisbookthusfar,thatyouaregettingaprettygoodfeelforwhatitmeanstoliveyourdestiny.Itrustthatyouhavecometoseequiteclearlythatdestinyisanongoingday-by-day,in-the-moment,processofbeingcuriouslyengagedinyourlifeasaconsciousquestandnotaboutsomespecificpurpose,place,orthingthatyourmindcandefineandgrabonto.Destinyisconsciouslyengagingwithlife–inmotion.Whenwetakeuplife’scircumstances,difficulties,andquestionsas“worthyteachers”invitingus(albeitsometimeskickingandscreaming!)intoasoul-searchingprocess,wewill,soonenough,findourselvessmackdabonthepathofself-growth,healinginsight,andrenewal.Itistrulyanintriguingparadoxthatweawakenbydenyingno-thing;andthatwerealizeourdestinyalongthepathunwinding!Thereisavulnerableandboldself-honestyrequiredtolivingone’sdestiny.Itrequiresbecomingastudentofawarenessandfindingwaystoobservethemechanismsoffear,innercontradictions,conditionedbeliefs,habitpatterns,andourunconsciousblindspots–alltheplaceswesay“no”tolifewhenwhatwearereallyachingtosayis“yes”.Thisguidebookisdedicatedtojustsuchaninnerfreedom-finding–anditisinvokedthroughtheSoulArtsProcesswehave

beenengagingthroughout.Weallhavebeliefsthatareunconscious,notfullyrecognized,andnoteventrulyourown.Theyexistwithintheterritoryofourearlyself-createdidentitiesthat(webelieve)holdustogether(anddo,uptoapoint).Theseunconsciousbeliefpatternsarethemechanismsofthemindthatcreateoursenseofbeingasolidfixedperson.Soonerorlater,wefindwearenot(only)thatoldsolidfixedperson.WestarttosensethatweareagrowingevolvingBeing.Weareanart,inmotion.Wehaveexpandingandnewemergingdestinies.Wemostoftendiscoverthisinnersurprisewhenfacedwithasignificantlifetransitionorthattugoftheheartthatlongsforsomething–more.Whenlifestepsinandawakensustothewaysandtheplacesweallowfeartoblockusfromourheartandsoul’smorenaturalauthenticity,westartseeing(layeruponlayer)thewayswe’vegottenstuckandrigid;thehabitualwayswe’vebeensaying"no"tonewlifepotentialwithoutevenrealizingit.(Thisisareallygoodself-discovery…althoughitoftenfeelsotherwise!)Whenallthewayswewithhold,orstandbackfromlife,starttoreallyparadebeforetheinnereyeofourself-observation,thefullramificationofone’slivingquestbecomesdeeper.ThisiswhyIhaveaddedthismorechallengingchapteratthisstageintheguidebookprocess:Itiscrucialtoheightenaboldself-honestinquiryintotheplaceswherethefearsinyouaresendingoutthemessagingof“no”whileyourheartandsoulisachingfor“yes”.Thisisaveryimportantchapterintheprocess(althoughyoumaynotrealizeitquiteyet):

Aswestarttoawakentothecontradictorymassageswearegivingandlivinginlife,wehavealreadybecomemoredeeplyseatedintheauthenticityofoursouls.ThesouliswhatSees.Sopleasebeheartenedbythishonestself-seeingprocess.Itwillbringyoumuchclosertoyourauthenticself.

Here,aresomequestionsthatcanhelpnurtureinnerself-awarenessforcatchingthe“no’s”inordertolivemorefullyfromatruer“yes”...Inmyownpersonaljourneyofawakeningtosoul,Iactivelyinquiredand

livedwithmanyofthesequestionsformanymonths.(Infact,Istilllivethem!).Pleasetakeyourtimewitheachoneofthem.Watchlifearoundyouasyouliveinthesequestionsforawhile…

"WhatisittobereallyaliveandincommunionwithLife?""HowalivedoItrulydaretobeinthislife?...CanIbearbeingfullypresenttomyownandotherssuffering?CanIbeartoabideinthemomentsofpainfulrelationship?CanIbetrulypresentforthefullrangeoflife:foranger,forlove,forboredom,forembarrassment,forsuccess,forfailure,forjoy,forsadness,fordisease,forhope,fordeath?CanIreallystophidingbehindthefaçadeofcontrol,andfallintoanunconditionalrelationshipwithLifeandwhateveritbringsme?

CanIletLifelivethroughmefreely,withoutduckingforcoverbehindalmostcountlessnumbingstrategies?"

Uponaskingthesequestionsmyself,IstartedtonoticethecountlesswaysIcontradictmyself:thewaysIhidefromLife,keepitatanarm'sdistance,anddenymyfullpresencetothelifethatisbeforeme,hereandrightnow.Inshort,IstartedtoseeallthewaysIsay"no"tothatwhichIhadbelievedtobea"yes."Ontheoutersurface,wemaygenuinelybelievewearesaying“yes”tolifeandtomanifestingourheart’sdeepdesiring.Butaslongasthisdesiringisencasedinthesubconsciousfearsofaprotectivepersona,weremainsimultaneouslysendingoutaverystrongsubliminal"no"tothatveryprayerfulintent.Weare,inactuality,sendingandlivingcontradictorymessages....Nowonderwehavemuddledandcontradictoryexperiences!Itgoesevendeeperthanthis:mattersofsoulandtheexpressionofourcreativepowercannotexpressfullywithinthelimitingconfinesofanoverlyself-protectingego.Ego-selfwantsstatusquo,homeostasis,controlledchange,andsecurity.Itwantstheknown.Soul,ontheotherhand,isourcreativeandvisionarynature.Itlivesforexploration,newpotential,theabilitytochangeandgrow.

Oursoul-natureismuchlargerthan,andpriorto,thepersonasweconstructearly-oninlifebasedonearlychildhoodexperiencesandtheinfluencesandbeliefspickedupfromourparents,teachers,andculture.Everythingthatisconstructedforthesakeoffeelingsecure–beliefsystems,habitualwaysofresponding,personalityfixations,thingsthatmakeusfeelincontrol–arewaysweoftenusetosay"no"toauthenticrelationshipwithLifeinthepresent.Theyarethewaysthatwesacrificetruealivenessforhabituatedillusionsofsecurity.Weliterally"buyourselves"theillusionofsecurityatthecostofoursoul'slivingexpression.

**Civilizedmanhasexchangedsomepartofhischancesofhappinessforameasureofsecurity.

-SigmundFreud

Inmyexperience,themechanismsoffearnevergocompletelyawayinourphysicallifetime.They’retoohard-wiredintothesurvivalmechanismsoftheautonomicnervoussystem.Fearintherightplace(likebeingattackedbyarabiddog)servesanimportantfunction(RUNlikethewind!)Inthewrongplaces,itimprisonstheheartanditstarvesthesoul!Ifwenevermakeaninnerquesttoseebeyondourearlyconditioningandlimitingbeliefstructures,wecontinuetoforce-fitsoulintoaverylimitedexpression…henceourpain,confusion,innerstruggles,depression,anxietyandlossofaliveness.WhenSoulisconstrainedintoosmallaspaceforittobreathe,ithurts!Thebreakthroughweseekwhensufferinginnerangst,confusion,sorrow,orlossofself,liesinbecomingastudentofthemechanismsofthemind–itliesinlearningtheartofbecomingawakeandcuriouswithineverydaylifesothataquantumleapinourperceptualawarenessfreesusfromego-over-identificationintosoul-seatedauthenticityandthesimpleeleganceofBeing.Here’showtobreakthroughwhatishurtingyourlife:Learntounderstandtheegoanditsways.Learntowatchandobserve,andpeelaway,whatistrueinthemomentfromwhatisconditionedthroughearlyunconsciouspatternsofbelief.

BecomeastudentofawarenessbydoingtheSoulArtsProcessinyourdailylifebybecomingboldlycuriousabouttrulyuncovering,andseeing,whereyouaresaying“no”tolifeinyourthoughts,beliefs,andactions…Andthenlooktoseeifyoucanfindinsideofyou,thewillingnesstoofferyourheartandsoulthegreatestgiftofloveyoucanoffertoyourlife:alivingspaceofgreater“yes”.

Wewillcometorealizethelife-withholdingtenacityofourfears,byshiningthelightofconsciousobservationuponthemthroughacuriousandintriguedinquiry.Isuggesttothosewhocometoworkwithme,thattheynotdenynortrytobeabovetheirfear.Todenyorbravadoaroundfearisactuallyaformofresistancewhichgivesitevenmorefuelwhilesendingitundergroundtobeexpressedinunconsciousways.Instead,IleadpeopleintotheSoulArtsProcessofmakingfearone’s“worthyteacher”throughaprocessofactiveinquiry,followedwithhonoringactsofsymbolicdialogue(assuggestedineachFollowingtheThreadexerciseattheendofeachchapter).Itisintriguing,simple,engaging,andamazinglylifetransforming!InthisprocessIhavecometoteach,wedon’tdenyorignoreanylifecondition.Andwedon’tkeepmuckrakingiteither!Nottodefametraditionalpsychotherapy–whichhasitsverydefinitegoodandrightplaceandsetofskillstooffer–Iroutinelyworkwithpeoplewhohavebeenintherapyforyearsorevendecadesonanissue(posttraumaticstress,incest,grief,depression),andwho,inone3-dayretreatusingthisprocess,havewatchedtheissuetransformintoagiftoftremendousself-healinginsightandgeniusthathadbeenhidden,inwait,behind“theproblem”!Thatbreakthroughisonepowerfulexperiencetowitness!ThisiswhyIhavecometoknowandtosaythattheplacesofourdeepestwoundingandlifestrugglesindeedholdthekeytoouruniqueandgreatgenius…ifwejustlearnthesoulfulartsoftransformation!

Ihopeyouseethatwedonotconquerourfearsoranyotherofoursituationalangst,confusions,andthingswerattleagainstinlife.Rather,bynolongerfightingagainstordenyingtheminexhaustingways,andbymovingourawarenesstoaninnerauthoritythatexistsbeyondthedomainwherefeariscreated,arewespontaneouslyandnaturallyreleasedintoadeeperwellspringof

Freedom.It'squiteanastonishingthingtoseeandcometoknow!Whenwemoveourattentiontoacuriousinteriorspaceofengagedintuitivelistening(aspacefarmoreintelligentthantherationalsolution-graspingmind)thenourlifesituationssimplybegintorevealthehiddenwisdomandpathwaystoourgreaterwholeness.Fromthissoul-space,andifweactivelyhonorwhatwearesensing,noticing,seeingalongtheinquiry,thenhavewejustfreedthenatureofCreationtomove,heal,andtransform!Byengaginginaprocessofactiveinquiryandsymbolicdialogue,wehavesteppedintotheauthority(authenticity)ofonewhois“morethan”thesefears.Now,wearelookingatthemfromthelightofsoul-consciousness.Nowwearenolongermerely“inandofthefears”,butbeyondandlookingstraightatthem.Nowwearelikethemeditationmasterwhoseesandisclear.Thispracticespawnsatruebreakthroughonaveryclearviscerallevel,ifyouengageitfully;thisIpromiseandbasedonhundredsofreallifeexperiences.Weonlyhavetomeet(andsee)ourfear-driven“no’s”tobecomemorethanthey.Curiositytrumpsfear!Sostaycuriousandengagein“eyeswideopen”inner/outerinquiryasyougoaboutyourregulardailyliving.Ifyoukeepanactiveinquiryaliveasyougoaboutyourday,youwillabsolutelystrengthentheobserver,over-turnthetricksofthemind,anddiscoversomethingofyourtrueEssence…Andhere’ssomethingyoucanrestupon:OnceyouSEEsomethingoftruth,itcannotbeunseen;itwillleadyoutoyournextinsightalongthetrailofyoursoul’sowngenius.Thisishowyouliveyourdestiny–eachstepoftheway.Rememberthis:Indailylife,weareconstantlygoingbackandforth:Soulfulexpressionofloveanddelight…andthefearfulhidingplacesofmind;apassionatelongingtobeauthentic…andaconstricted“whatif”holdingusbackyetagain;a“yes”oftheheart…anda“no”ofthemind.Thesearethecyclesthatcallustoourhighart.Itisamagnificentrealizationwhenwelearnhowtosurfonthistideoflongingandangst,ofsoulandfear,ofgivingandwithholding,ofyesandno,withtrueartistryandgrace.Thenwebecomeconsciousartistsinanycircumstanceoflife…Andthen:anycircumstanceoflifehaslikewisegainedthefreedom--to

change.Thisisthealchemyoftransformingyourlifeandlivingyourdestiny!

**Ifyoubegintounderstandwhatyouarewithouttryingtochangeit,

thenwhatyouareundergoestransformation.-J.Krishnamurti

FollowingtheThread-Inquiry#5:

Thisweek,everytimeyoufeelpressureorconfusion,sadnessorstress.STOP.Takeafewminutesto:

1)Writedownsome“outerthing”thathasyoufeelingdiscombobulated,questioning,oruncomfortable(inconflict)withinthemoment–i.e.,findaplaceyouaretightening,resisting,orjustifyinga“no”andthenseeifyoucanallowyourselftonotice“yourstory”andhow/whyyoufeeljustifiedaboutit.

2)Askyourselfwhereelseinyourlifeyouhavefeltasimilarfeeling(notasimilarstorybutasimilargut/heart/angstfeeling)…andwriteitdowntoo.Theseareyour“no”places.

3)Nowcloseyoureyes,breatheacoupledeepbreaths,andseeifyoucangivethefeeling(notthestory)ahumorousname.Seeifyoucanfindanametogivethis“difficultfeeling”.Thenameshouldbesomethingthatcapturesitsqualitywhilealsoanimatingit,asifitwerealivingcharacter(Examples:VickyVictim;PerfectPollyanna;SoPutDownPatty….Yougettheidea!)Havefunwiththispart.Seehowcreativeyoucangetwithfindingjusttherightnameforthisfeeling.

Sometimelater(samedayornext–butSOON!)takeanhourorsoto:

4)“Dressthislittlecaricatureout”:Whatdoeshe/shelooklike?Bringhimorhertolifebyfinding,makingorbuyingsomethingthatlookslikethiscaricaturefeelsandwantstobeseen.(Thiscanbeanything:Astone,astickdrawing,afoundobject…Butgetintriguedathowdetailedandgoodyoucanbeinlettingitshowitself.)Lettheactualcaricaturebetheonewhoshowsyouwhathe/shewantstolooklikeorhowtobesymbolized.Beopen.Bespontaneous.Besurprised.ButDOIT!

5)Placewhateveryouhavecreated,foundorboughtinaspecialplace;sitdownwithacupoftea(makethattwo!)andaskthiscaricatureanythingyouwant.Youcandothisinyourheadorbyjournalingyourquestions

andlettingitreply(freeassociation)orbyengaginginacreativewritingexercisewherethecaricatureyou’vecreatedbecomestheprotagonistinamake-believestory.Justgo“braindead”andletastory-tellingemerge.

6)Seewhatyoudiscoverinthisactivemeditationprocess.(Themoreplayfuland“braindead”youcanbe,themoredeeplyandquicklyyou’lldiscoveryourinnerwisdomplace…)

CHAPTER6

TheSoulArtsProcessWithRonda**

Yourquestionscontaintheseedandpowerofnewcreation,springingfromyoursoul'sowngenius

-RondaLaRueItismyinclinationhere,tobrieflydescribetheprocessIhavecometousewithpeoplewhocometoworkwithmebecauseIthinkitwillhelpyouseesomethinginyourownprocessmoreclearly.ThisshortdescriptionoftheworkwedoatCenterforSoulArtswillalsohelpempoweryourabilitytoreallyputintolivingpracticethecreativeprocessforfacilitatinginsightandtransformationalchangethatIsharewithyouinthefinalchapterofthisguidebook.WhenonecomestoatransformationalretreatorentersintoanapprenticeshipprograminthelifeworkI’vecometoofferasmidwifeofsoul,weshinealightonthecrossroadsoflifethathavebroughtyoutothisplaceofturmoilandreadiness.Wefindwhereyourowninnervisionandtruthisreadytosetyoufree.Togetherwehonoryourownpathwaytothemysteriesofself-healing,self-love,anduniqueexpressionofsoulintheworld.Wefindthispathtogetherbynourishingyourowninnatewisdomofsoul.It’seasierthanyouthink!Inmyroleasspiritualguide,Ihelpshineaspotlightonthepathofinnerseeing,andthenIholdthatenergeticpresencelongenoughtohelpguideyoutoseeandattunetoyourowninnerKnowing.OnceyouaretunedintoYou,wefollowtogetheryourownknowinguntilitbecomesmoredeeplyseededandnourishedasyourowndirectlivingexperienceandpersonalartistry.Veryfrequently,peoplewithwhomIhaveworked,tellmethatthingsthey’vestruggledwiththeirentirelivesintherapyorthroughyearsofspiritualseminarsandworkwithhealers,areclearlyseenandatlastresolvedthroughthetransformationalimmersionofourone-on-one3½dayintensiveretreats.I’ve

beenblessedtoseethemostamazinglifehealingsandinspiredawakenings!Thereisanamazingartistryandalchemytowhatnaturallyhappensasaresultofwhatisconsciouslyfacilitatedandwhatisconsciouslysteppedbeyond…Inmyexperience,atruespiritualteacherorguidehaslivedand“walksthetalk”ofhisorherownchallengingjourneytoatruthfulhumilityandareclaimedwholeness.InShamanicculturesthiskindofteacherisacknowledgedas“thewoundedhealer”:onewhohastraveledthepathwaysofpersonalsufferingandmadeaconsciousstudyoftheterrainandthepathwaystohealingandwholeness.Ihavefoundthatmyownpersonalvulnerablelifeexperiences(farmoresothanmyscholarlystudiesofpsycheandsoul)offerthemostpotentservicetothosewhocometoworkwithme.Thereisamagicalkindofsynergyandenergeticrapportthatdoestherealworkofsoulintheseprocesses.

Itisthroughmyownpersonalunderstandingofwhatitisliketofacelife-threateningillness,thedevastationofdivorce,thedifficultiesofaging,thelossoffinancialsecurity,thepowerofego,thehurtsofanentrappedheart,thebetrayalsofself,difficulthealthissues,struggleswithdepression,anxietyandaddiction,thatIamabletoholdupthelightofconsciousnessthatservestoempowerandincorporatehealinginsightandreclaimedwholeness.Inmyexperiencethisisthe“rightrole”ofaspiritualteacher:toshinealightontheseeker’sway…

(Pleaseseemyrecent3-partarticleseriesonthepersonalresponsibilityofselectingandworkingwithaspiritualguideunderthecontemplativewritingsonrondalarue..comwebsiteforamoredeeplycontemplativelookintothissubject.)

Ibelievethatultimatelyweeacharemeanttobeconduitsservingoneanother’sflameofinner-sightandauthenticity.Itisstunninglyamazinghowsimpleandelegantarethehealingmiraclesandsynchronicitiesthatspontaneouslyandnaturallyresultfromsuchasharedattention!TheprocessIuseforsuchadeepinvocationofsoulisaradicalinnerlistening…followedbyanattentivecreativeaction.Itisanelegantlysimple(andoftendelightfullyengaging)process,evenwhenworkingwithpainfulaspectsofself!

DuringSoulArtssessionswithoneseekingtolivemoreauthentically,weputintolivingpracticethatwhichhasthepowertoenlivenone’sdeepest(oftenhidden)talentsandinnerwisdom.UsingaprocessIwillbesharingwithyouinthenextchapter,weenterintoahighlycreativeandattentiveprocesstogetherthatintentionallysidestepsthelimited(andverylimiting!)intelligenceoftherationalmind.Thisisahuge“ahhhh”relieftobeginwith!ThissimpleSoulArtsProcessshiftsapersonintoaspacewhere(s)hecandiscoverthesubtleandvibrantlanguageofsoul,whichisquiteastonishinglybright,andverydifferentfrom,thelanguageofego-mindtowhichmostofushavebecomeallbutexclusivelyaccustomed.TheSoulArtscreativeprocessisoneofattuningto“thatstillsmallvoice”weeachcarrywithinusasourinnateknowing.Itisthat“stillsmallvoice”(theonewesenseisthereandimportant,butissooftencrowdedoutandoverpoweredbythefearfuldemandsofourpastconditioning)thatoffersthedoorwaytoourreadywisdom.TosteptowardthishigherSelfinourSoulArtsProcesstogether,firstweputintopracticeasimpleandcreativemethodforbypassingtheconditionedmind-patternsthatkeepuslockedincircularconfusionandparalysis.Thisimmediatelyopensthegatesofone’sownvastwisdomandhiddeninnerclarity.WhatI(mostoften)hearbytheseconddayisthis:“Ifeelincrediblypeaceful,atrest,andsorelieved!I’mcuriousnow…”Second,wedon’tjustask,look,listenandsay“ah,niceinsightlet’smoveon!”Wetakealotoftimeduringthesein-residenceretreatsforapersontoactuallyLIVEthatwhich(s)hediscovers–andsolearnhowtofollowandtobecomethelivingembodimentofone’sauthentictruth,asitunfoldsthroughthisartfulselfliving.Apersonapprenticingwithmeinprivateorsmallgroupintensive,liveshisorherinsightsduringtheretreatbymakingconsciouscreativeactsthathonorandreflectbackwhatisbeingfollowed.Thisactof“courtingout”one’sownwisdomisdonethroughsymbolicdialogue.TheformsandformatsthesesymbolicdialoguestakeareasvastandvariedasthenumberofpeopleI’vebeenblessedtomentor!Trulyeachofushascreativegeniuswaitingtoinspireour

life.Thisdialogingprocessservestoempowerone’sclarityandconfidencebybringingthenewinsightintodirectlivingreality,asopposedtoremainingatemporary“retreatexperiencehigh”thatsooftenhaslittlelifechangingimpactoncetheretreatisover.Here’showitwon’twork:Mostofussimplyfailtomakeadirectlyphysical,clearlyconscious,andresonantactionbasedonthatwhichwestarttoseeaswelearntoask,look,andlistenwithin.Andthatonefailuretoofferanhonoringcreativeacttoreflectthatweareengaging,listening,followingiswhatstopstransformationinitstracks!

(Pauseamomenthereifyouwill,andreflectontheselastfewparagraphs.Evenifyoudon’ttotallyunderstandwhatI’mgettingat,ponderorsensefromaplaceofinnerquietandseeifsomethingstartstostir…aliveinyou…)

Thetwodistinguishingelements:

1)bypassingtheconditionedmindtoaccessamorefreelyevolvingsymbolicintelligence;and

2)dialoguingwithwhatisrevealed,isthekeytothealchemyoftransformationalbreakthroughandmakingphenomenalandlastingpositivelifechanges.

ThisactivealchemyisthecornerstoneofthispowerfulSoulArtsProcess,andwhyIremaindedicatedtothismostunusualprocessofofferingprivate,one-on-oneandsmallgroupin-residenceretreatsandapprenticeshiptrainingprogramstothosewishingtolearnforthemselvesthislifetransformingart.

*So!Thismaybesurprisingtoconsider:WeareactuallyWAYmorethanourthoughts!Thoseinourculturewhomwecall“genius”(Einstein,Jung,WilliamJames,Steiner,Fullerandsoon)havediscoveredhowtoaccessandlivefromthisbiggerpoolofinsight.Therealizationofourowngeniusisafundamental

shiftinperception,thatopensustowholenewhorizonsofpossibilityandlife.It’saturnofperceptionthatsetsusfree:Notthatoldpatternssuddenlyceasetobe,butthattheyarenowsimplyseenfromaplaceofauthenticSelf.Fromthistrueauthority,oldwayscansimplynolongerhavethesameoldpower.Whenthisperceptualshiftinunderstandingandinnerseeingnaturallyoccursinaperson,thepriorconfusionisinstantlyrecognizedforwhatithasbeenserving(fearandthestatusquo).Inthisinnerrealization,fearisrecognizedforitsseductivewithholdingofrealliving.Andthen,“eyeswideopen”self-acceptanceandself-lovebecomeone’snaturalgroundandexperientialcommitmenttotheartofliving.Thisiswhatdistinguishesthesoulfullife!Onemustconsciouslyseek,tend,declare,andnourishthesoulfullife…ifonewishestoliveit!Simplystated,whenyourunderstandingshiftsawayfromthinkingaboutproblems“xyz”…andturnsinsteadintoacuriousrelationshipwithyourlifein-the-making,yousimplybegintoSee.AndasyouSee,youbegintoallowthecreatively-powerfulpersonyouwereborntobe,thespacetoreallyLIVE,MoveandBE!…Thencanyourlifeshowyouitsever-evolvingcreativepowerandgenius!Thisis,infact,howyoucometoliveyourdestinyandexpressyouruniquegenius:throughsacredrelationshipwithyourlifeasaneveryday,realworld,actofcuriously-engagedartistry!Inourdesiretobecomemorevibrantlyalive,wearecalledtohavethecouragetomovebeyondthevoiceoffearandthecircularstoriesofmind.Weareinvitedtostepintoareceptivewillingnesstodiscoverourdeepergeniusandit’suniquewaysofunfoldingandrevealingitsmagicalgiftsofinsight,surprisingsynergy,andnewopportunity.Theanswertrulylieswithin…asanart-making,love-makingjourney.Toaccessandlearntheartofsoulrequiresanabilitytolivethequestionasacreativeprocess.Itrequiresadeeplyattentiveprocessthatisnotallowedtobetakenupanddeadenedbytheego’sdrivetomanufactureyetanotherstandardizedmethod,specificpractice,beliefsystem,orfranticgraspingforanimmediatefix.Theonlyreal“spiritualpractice”isalivingartistry.Itistheartistryofbecomingincreasinglyconsciousanddirectlyengagedintheloveaffairwithlife.Itistheartofbecomingfreetobewhoyoureallyare.

Livingyourgeniusrequiresbothadeeplyreceptive,andamazinglyresponsive,co-creativevigilance.Itrequiresaconsciouschoiceinwhatitisthatyoumostlove:Towhatisyourlifemostconsecrated?Whatmostmatters?…Whatdoyoumakeyour“godwithineachmomentofchoice”?Tolivethevibrant,wholelifeofself-love,innerpeace,andjoyfulpurpose,wearecalledtotheconsciouschoiceofbeinginrealrelationshipwithlifeanditscontinualchanges.Anauthenticlifeisanexceptionallyresponsiveandresponsibleone.Itistheultimateofresponsibilitybecauseitisalifededicatedtotheintegrityofdirectlyfacingandenteringintoaconsciousrelationshipwiththeever-changingdynamicsofliving;itisthe“ability-to-respond”tolife,truetothemoment.Oncethisveryalive,creativeanddynamicprocessisrealizedinone’sself,thenlifebecomesamagnificentartistryofhonest“eyeswideopen”relationshipwithallthatarisesineverydayliving.Thisiswheretruefreedomandcontentmentdwell.Thisiswhereyouruniquegeniusissetfree.Itistothishighartistryoflivingwenowturninthefinalchapterofthisguidebook

.

FollowingtheThread-Inquiry#6:TimetoSeewhereyou’vecome:

1)Takeafewminutestosetupaspecialsacredambienceforyourself.Findaplaceandtimewhereyouknowyouwon’tbeinterruptedforatleast30minutes.

2)Nowtakeafewmomentsinsilencejusttoemptyyourmind.Letitalljustfallaway.Andifitwon’tallfallaway,thengointothedepthofyourbody(wayawayfromthehead)andsimplepictureyourselfinsidean“innerlakeofyou”.Beinadeeppool.

3)Fromhere,lightlyletyourselfsensethepastdaysorweekswiththisguidebookandtheprocessesyouexperienced.Don’ttryandcallupanyspecificthing.Justletthe“innerlakeofyou”ripplewitharememberingofhavingbeenstirredinsomeway.

4)Nowaskthisquestionasifitwereapebbledroppedintotheinnerlakeofyou:“Whatdoesthelakeofme–thisplacedowninmybody–wishtoshowmeandhavemeseeandknowaboutmyliferightnow?”

5)Nowsimply,andwithoutpauseorreflection,letyourselfwritefree-styleanymessagethatyourownbeingwouldlikeyoutohear,seeorfeel.Youcanengagewhatevercomesupwithfurtherquestionsorjustletitbeasimplesentencetoreceiveandreflectupon.

6)Dosomethingphysical(tangible)tohonorandsymbolicallydialoguewithwhatyoureceived.

**

Eachofusmustmakeourowntrueway,andwhenwedo,thatwaywillexpresstheuniversalway.

-SuzukiRoshi

**Whatyouarelookingforiswhoislooking.

-St.FrancisofAssisi

CHAPTER7

EveryDayAwakening**

Iftheonlyprayeryousayinyourwholelifeis“thankyou,”thatwouldsuffice.-MeisterEckhart

ThisfinalchaptercarriestheessentialenergeticofwhatIdowithclientswhocometoworkwithmeinprivateretreats,smallgroupsandapprenticeshiptrainingprograms.Whatwephysicallydo,andthetoolsormethodsweusetoeffectthisalchemicaltransformationisalwaysdifferentbecauseeachpersonisutterlyuniqueandhasacompletelyuniquesetoflifeingredientstoreleaseintowhatLifehasreadiedthemfor.Buttheinnerwayisthesame!Andthatinnerwayisinsideofyou!ThisfinalchapterisgiventoyouwithmyheartfeltdesiretosharetheamazingpoweroftransformationandbeautifulmiraclesthatoccurhereeverydayatCenterForSoulArtsaswellaswithmanyofyouwithwhomIworkoverthephoneandbyemailinalonger-termprocessofsacredalchemy.AsIsaidatthebeginningofthisbook,theawakeningquantumleapoccursintheprocessitself.Realizationoftheinsightandthechangeofawareness,comeafterthatfact.Thatishowawakeningis.Isuspectthatyou’veseenandexperiencedsomeofthisalreadybrewinginthecourseofengagingtheexercisesinthisworkbook.Thiscreativegeniusisfreedandunleashedwhenweunderstandthatourlifeisanartistryforwhichwearecalledtobemasterartisansaswewalkoureverydayreallifeexperience.AsIoftensayinmymentoringretreats.Youmustonly“fallinlovewiththeprocess”tobeassuredoffollowingyourtruepath.That’sallitreallytakes:

Fallinginlovewiththejourney!

Learningtolistenforexample,withoutmakingareverentandconsciousact(withouthonoringwhatisseenthroughtheactofceremonialcelebrationandexpressionofone’sself,givenovertotheSeeing)isoflittlevalueotherthangettingmoreofthe“heady”egofeelingofinsightwithouttakingresponsibility(respond-ability)fordemonstratingtheinsightasembodiedaction.It’snotthatyoumustfollowthesteps.StepsfollowedwithoutdeepintentandareverentsenseoftheTransformationalCurrencywilllikewisedoverylittle.Itisaprocessthatmustbefullymet,felt,seen,knownandgivenoverto.WhenyoudoembodytheSeeing,thenlifeisinspired;thenitisalivingDivineCreation.Thenyouarelivingyourdestiny.

*Wearecreatingourlifeallthetime.Mostly,aswe'veseenthroughthecontemplationsandexercisesinthisguidebook,theactionsofourlives(andthepredicamentsinwhichwefindourselves)arefoundedonearlyconditioningandunconsciousfearsandbeliefs.Nowwe'resteppinguptowhatitmeanstobeawakeasconsciousvesselsforLife’screativity.Nowwe'resteppingintoourco-creativepowerfromaplaceofdeeplyattunedlisteningwithintheauthorityofourtrueSelf.We’recalledtomakeallactsoflivingfromaplaceofconsciousrelationshipwithlife.We’recalledtoofferourselvestoLife’sevolvingartistry.Wearecalledtobeartists.Thatiswhatweare.Anartistisonewhoisengagedinrelationshipwiththematerialshehasgatheredaroundhim(notunlikeourlifesituationsandcontexts)–andfromtheseoddbitsandpieces,(s)heentersintoaprofoundcommunication,blendingandstirringandmixing…untilwhatevolvesisaworkofcommunication,wherethepiecesandpartsbecomesomethingofmeaningandimportthatnonecouldhaveachievedaloneorwithouteachandeveryotherpieceheldbythatwhole.Thesameistrueofyourlifeandofmine!Yourgeniusisuniquelyyours.Therewillneverbeanotheryou.Howwillyouchoosetoworkwiththeuniqueingredientsofyourlifecircumstance?Howwillyouliveyourdestiny?

FollowingtheThread-Inquiry#7:Inclosing,IofferasummaryofhowtheflowingCurrentofTransformationworksjustsoyoucanseeandfeelitfromonefluidstream.Itismyprayerthatasyoureadthesefinalwords,youlistenthroughyourbody(notinyourmindandnotusingthought!).Infact,Isuggestifyouwilltryit,thatyoudropyourawarenessdownintoyourbelly,breathingslowlyanddeeplyandlettingyourmindrelaxsoyoubarelyknowyou’rereading…Thenreadthefinalsectionofthisbookmorelikeyouarelisteningandlookinginsideyourself,fromaplaceofyourowndeepestintegrity,vulnerableopenness,andinnerauthority.Letthisbeyourflame.Youarestanding,inthisattunedinnerlisteningrightnow,onholyground…1)OpenaSoulfulSpaceStartbycreatinganopenwillingnesstobewithyourselfbymakingaspecialprivateandsacredambienceorspacewhereyouwon’tbeinterruptedforatleastacoupleofhoursifnotthewholeday.Thepreparationyougivetosettingupyourspaceisasmuch“it”asanythingelse.Thequalityofattentionyougivetosettingupyourspace,andhowtruly“intoit”youallowyourselftostep,willhavealottodowithhowmuchyouseeandexperiencefromthewholeprocess…2)ExpressandOfferYourLivingPrayer…Sitinopenvulnerableandhonestpresencetowhateveristhecurrentpositionofyourlife.Youmaybestrugglingwithachallenginghealthissue,problemswiththekids,financialwoes,mid-lifecrisis,anunsatisfyingjob,chronicdepressionoranxiety,compulsivebehaviorsandaddictions,lossofrelationship,lossofmeaning,painfuloldmemoriesofabuse,excessivedailystresses,notimeforyourself,adifficultboss,lossoffaith,spiritualcrisis,needformorepeaceofmind,orjustthelongingforsomethingmoreinyourlife...

Remainrighthere,vulnerablypresentandrelaxedintoanopen-heartedseeing(almostasifyou’re“lookinginonyourlife”fromabird’seyeview.)Seehowyoumightfeeldrawntoexpressthetruthofthemoment(yourlivingprayer):ThiscouldbebyspeakingaloudassuggestedinChapter5,orindance,orbreath,orsong,orscream,ordrawing…oranyotheractiveformofallowingthetruthofthismomenttobeseen,heardandexpressedbyyou,foryou.3)EnterIntoEmptyListeningNowtakeseveralslowwwwwdeepbreathsintoyourbody;settleyourfocusofattentionintoyourlowerbelly,andaskyourbody(notyourmind!)oneormoreofthesequestions(orothersthatcometoyoutoask)...Andjustseewhatcomesup.

·“Whatdoesmyowninnerwisdomwishmetoseeorknowrightnowinthismoment?”

·“Whatismybody“saying”tomerightnowasIjustnoticewhateverI’mdrawntointhebodyatthismoment?”

·“Ifmybellycouldspeakinwordsrightnow,whatwoulditbetryingtosay?”(askthesameoftheheart,thethroat,andanyotherplaceyounoticesensation,tightnessorattention)

·“Whatonewordcomesupfromthebody-presenceasIsitin“thelakeofme”andjustlisten?”

Whatdoyousee,sense,hear,intuit?Thereisalwaysanimmediatefelt-senseorimagethatweoftenmissbecausewe'renotusedtorecognizingitandsoitgetsfilteredoutwhilewewaitfor"goodolefaithful"(themind'sthoughts)tojumpinandtellushowitis.Themind-thoughtsarealwaysconditioned(likeacomputerprogram)andthereforenotpureintelligence.Wewantandneedtoaccessourdeeperintelligence-ourinnerhealerandDivineNature.Todothisyoumustcatchtheimpulse,theimage,thepicture,theimmediatefeelinginthebodyandjustgentlyfollowitlikeyouarewatchingastreamflowingby.Keepasoftfocusthatisabitemptyofthoughtandjustnoticing(asifyouweremeanderingthroughafieldandjustappreciatingthingsasyouwalk

by).ThisisusuallymucheasierinaprivatesessiontogetherbecauseI,asfacilitator,holdthatenergy,whichactslikeatuningforkandyourownbeingstartstoattunetothevoiceofsoulandsymbolmuchmorereadilywithinyourself.Butyoucandefinitelyfindthisonyourownifyourwillingnesstodropthemindisstrong,andifyoucanplaywithlisteningfromamoreopen“meandering”kindofspaciousness.Askandlookinsideyourbody.Scanit.Doyoufeeltightsomewhere?Gotothatplaceandjustbewithitandnotice.Doyouseesomeinnerimage(as,forexample,aclientdidthismorningwhenshesensedalargeblacktunnelinherheartsurroundedbywire-liketreads).Whateveryousubtlysense,gotothatandenterintoaninner"dialogue"withit.Askitquestionsjustlikethoseabove.Butasyouaskaquestion,listeninadifferentway:listenfromwithinasensingofthesubtlebody-fieldpresence.Stayinthesenseofbeing“inthelakeofyou”andmeanderingthroughwhateverwantstoshowup…Justfollowalongwithoutneedinganythingtohappenatall!(that’sthe“wayin”tothetruthofyou).REMINDER:Thewaythebodyspeaksisinsymbol,image,feelings(tight,warm,jittery,flowery,memories,pictures,etc.).Symbolandfeelingarehowthebodyandsoul“answer”yourquestions….we'vejustlostourdexteritywithrecognizingthisvastandintelligentlanguage.Itisalanguageverydifferentfromthemind-thoughtsoitcantakealittlewhiletoperceiveandthenrecognizehowitisalwaysavailabletoyou.ThelanguageofSoulspeaksinsymbolandfeelingandsynchronicity.Ifyoucanremaininterestedandcuriouswithoutgettingover-needytointerpret,thenyouwillbemuchmorepowerfullyabletofollowthislevelofperceptionanditsuniquewaysof“speaking”.Wemostlymissouravailableinnerguidancebecausewe'vebecomeover-reliantonthemoresimplisticlinearlanguageofthemind(whichistheleastintelligentofourfacultieswhenitcomestotrueinnerknowing)!Tostarttohearandattendtothecommunicationofthesubtlebodyaswellasthesymbolicsynchronicitiesoflife(e.g.indreams,coincidencesetc.)isanessentialkeytoselfmastery,healing,andrenewal.

Ifyouhavetroublewiththisatfirst,takeawalk,ahotbath,orliedownandmeditatetosoothingmusicandliterallyinstructyourbeingtodropawayfromfocusingonthethinkingmind.Then,inyourmind'seye,dropyoursenseofselfwaydownintothebody.Literallyplaceyourattentioninsideofyourheartoryourbellyasifthisiswhereyoureside.Breathefromthisplace.Befromthisplace,andthenwithaslowinnerfocusedbreath,askyourbodythequestionandjustfollowalongandflowwithwhatyounotice.Itcouldbe,forexample,atightnessintheheart.Ifso,askthetightnesswhatitwantsyoutoknowatthiswhatitwantsyoutoseeorunderstand.Ifyounoticeafeelingofsadness,askyourbodywhatitistryingtotellyou;whatitwouldlikeyoutoknoworseeatthistime.Followalonginthisway,keepingyourfocusonbeinginsideyourbodyandyourquestionsposedinacuriousopenandmeanderingstyleoflisteningwithoutneedforaspecificanswer.Iknowthissoundsoddifyou'venevertriedit.Believemethereisamazinguntappedpowerinourbody-intelligence.OurlargerfieldofawarenessconnectstoGod/Sourcefarmorecleanlythanthemind.Thislargerfieldofintelligenceismoredirectlyconnectedtoandunfetteredfromtheconditionsandfearsofthemind.Thiswillbecomearadicaldiscoveryifyoureallytakethisupandlearntheartofinnerlistening.

Ihaveonmywebsitemanyresourcesavailabletoyou–andespeciallythe“AskRonda”blog,whichIencourageyoutousetohelpdevelopandshareyourgrowingself-awarenessinthisartfulprocess.Itisveryhelpfultobeabletoshareandconnectwithkindredsoulswho,likeyou,arelikewiselearningthisbreakthroughprocessofself-healinginsightanddirection.

4)OfferanHonoringActionThisiswheretherealsecrettoalchemyandansweredprayerlie.HereiswherewegiveformtowhatweareSeeingsofarinourinquiry.BygivingwhatweareSeeingsofar(orsimplynoticing/questioning)aphysicalform,weareembodyingandenteringintothenextthreadofthesymbolicdialoguewithsoul.WekeepfollowingthesethreadsusingtheSoulArtsProcessastheyleadusalongthepathwayofourownuniqueinsight,healing,discoveryanddestiny.(Pleasepauseheretore-readthisparagraph.IfyoucanSeeitinsideyourown

experienceasyoure-readthesewords,youhavealreadymadeabreakthrough!)Makingasacredact(aphysicalaction)ofwhatyousee,sense,hearfromtheprocessofopenlistening,ismakinganhonoringandfaithfulactofgivingyourlifeovertowhatisseen.ItisakindofsurrenderingintofaithandfollowingLife’shigherorder.Thisunderstandingbecomesatruespiritualawakening…Watch,engage,honor...andyouwillSeeforyourself!Onceyouknowhowtolivefromthisprocess,youwillknowallyouneedtoknowaboutfindingandfollowingyourdestiny.5)StayinVigilantCuriousAttentionForthenext2-3weeks(foryourlifetimereally!),justnoticewhatstartstocomeupinyourlife,yourdreams,feelingsandobservationsaroundthisprocessandthehonoringact(symbolicdialogue)youhavecreated.Payattentionbothtothethingsthatconfirmandsupportyournewsenseofdirectionaswellasthosethatseemtodisruptit.Whenwehaveenteredastateofdawningclarity,andbirtheditthroughanhonoringact,thatwhichwestillhaveinourlifethatgetsinthewayofclarityoftenneedstocomeupandbedirectlyseenwith“eyeswideopen”.Thisisnotalwayseasyanditcanfeelanawfullotlikeatest,orevenasifthewholethingbackfired.Thisistheplacewhereyourcharacter,depthofcommitmentandinnerfaithisliterallybeingtested–nottoseeifyousucceedorfail,buttofindtherightharmoniousplacethatyouarereadytoembodyandliveastheartistofyourlifeatthistime.Thiswholeprocessbecomesawonderfullyenchantingandengagingcuriosity.Ithelpstonurtureasenseofreverentplayfulnessinwhatitmeanstoliveincreativefullness.6)IllumineyourPathwithGratitudeThisstepshouldgowithoutsayingbutitdoesn'tformanyofus.Soonasthingsmovesmoothly,weseemtonaturallyjustflowandforgettomarvelattheprocessthathascarriedusonourway.Assoonasthingsgoawry,westartasking,searching,seekingandprayingagain.Hereiswhygratitudeissoimportant:Whenwemakethanksgivingabuilt-in

partofourlife,wenaturallykeepthetuningforkaliveandvibratinginresonancewithuniversalpresence,divinemystery,andthesynchronisticwaysofcreation.Realappreciationforthemysteryoftheprocess(akagratitudeforthejourneyitself)keepsthesenseofawealive–andthesenseofaweiswhatkeepsyououtofharm’sway(i.e.,oldfear-basedwaysofproblemsolvingwhichonlykeepyoustuck).AsenseofaweandgratitudearewhatkeepyouclosetothelanguageofSoulsoyoucanfollowyourdestinyandgrowindailywisdom.Intheend,theartoflivingyourdestinyallcomesdowntothis:

Askthedeeplifequestions;Enteracurious–eyeswideopen–inquiry;FindyourcoretruthinthemomentasaLivingPrayer;Honorwhatisrealizedateachstepofthewaythroughsacredactsofcourage,open-heartedvulnerability,andreverentaction;Offeryourveryheartandlifeasgratitudeandfollowing.

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Mayyoufallutterlyinlovewiththeprocess!Mayyourealizethatyouaretheprocess.Theprocessisyourtruenatureandyourtruepath…BlessingsonyourWay

CLIENTCOMMENTS

ForThoseCuriousAboutWorkingDirectlyWithRonda

Belowaresomeclientresponsesto3questionsintheirend-of-retreatquestionnaire.*Althoughvirtuallyallclientsapprovehavingtheirfullnamespublished,I’veelectedtoputfirstnamewithlastinitial,inrespectforthepersonalnatureofthisworkandindeferencetothosewithhighpublicprofileandfromthemedicalandhealingartsprofessionsthemselves.1)What,foryou,wasthemostawesomeaspect(s)ofyourRetreatwithRonda?

GettingtoolsIcantakehomewithmeanddoanywherefortherestofmylifetofollowmypath!Awesomeprocess!It'sinme!-SherriC.Ifeltcomfortableforthefirsttimeinmyownskin.IwasamazedthatIcouldcometounderstandthatthereisamysticalinnerlanguageandsensibility!IalwaysthoughtthelogicalmindwasmoreimportantandtheonethingIreliedon.NowIseethatithasblottedeverythingofbeautyout.Iamcalledtocultivatemyownuniquegenius!-ZoraCGettingstillandlisteningwithmysoulinsteadofreactingwithmymind.Findinginnerpeaceandtruemeaningofintimacy!-DebbieSWakinguponDay3SOhappy,peaceful,andhopefulafterhavingsaidgoodbyetomyold"castofcharacters"thenightbeforewiththanksandreverenceasIwelcomedtrueself.-KimberlyWRebirthofmysoul!Idiscoveredwhatanincrediblyloving,sensitive,wise,beautifulwomanIhaveinsideme.I'vegotmypassionforlifeback-anditwasgone!-TammyC

2)WhatwastheoneKEYthingyoureallylearned,discovered,realizedworkingwithRonda?

·ThatthethingsaboutmeIwanttochangeandhidefromaremypathwaytotruth-BrittanyMInsteadoftryingtoeliminateproblematicemotions/obstacles,etc.,Inowknowhowtoeasilyturnthemaroundandlistentotheirwisdom.Theanswerreallyisinsideme.AllIhavetodoisplayfullytunein,dialogueinthewaysRondashowedme,andfollow!-NolaWOhmyGod!IwasdeadinsidebeforeIcame.I'maliveagain,andreadytostartmynewchapterinthislife,thanktoRondafromthebottomandtopofmyheart.Yousavedmylife!-NadineSThequestionistheanswer!It'sOKtobeintheunknown,that’swhereIhearthenewtruth.-MelissaM

3)WhatisyourexperienceworkingwithRonda?

Rondaisverycomfortabletoworkwith-noneedforreserve.Iaminaweofherclarityandabilityto

guiderightthroughtheblindspots,andplacesofheavyresistance.Ronda'sabilityregardingwhatIneededatalltimeswasamazing-verycomfortingwhenIwasfeelingvulnerable.–NolaWRondaisamazing.Throughquestions,waitingpatientlyshebuiltasafehouseformysoul.She'sarealpersonwithhumanfrailtiesasweare...Shetoohasfollowedherownjourney.-DianaCRondahasanintuitiveknackforknowingexactlywhatdirectiontogetonorwhatrockneedstobeturnedover.Thegeniusofherapproachisawe-inspiring.Howdidshedoit??!–ZoraCTotallyunexpectedandawesome.NotanythingIcouldeverimaginebecausethereisnolanguageforit.IamleavingwithacompletelydifferentperspectivewithouthavingknowthisiswhatIwasalwayslookingfor.Theone-on-oneisabsolutelyamazing.-KimberlyWPeaceful,trusting,friendly,warm,welcoming,creative,flexible,real.Somuchwasaccomplishedinsolittletime!Mindblowing!-TammyKIloveRonda'sstraightforwardnessmostofall.Sheistherightamountofsoftandhardwithoutlosingthegentletouchasonewhohasgreatcompassionforthejourney.Thiswasatremendousgifttomyself!-RosarioVWorkingwithRondawaslikeworkingwithsomeonewhoknewmemywholelife.-ErinBRondaisinthezone:Amazing,beautiful,safe,spiritual,blessed.Youhavechangedmylife,myfriend.Youguidedthesparkwhichhasignitedmysoulmyheartandmywholebeing.-TammyCPlayful,warm,insightful-awiseandlovingcounselor-DrewORondaisreverent,real,honest,open,warmandhaslearnedfromherownlife.Shehasagiftforopeningthedoortomyownsoulandforshowingmehowtoquietmymind.Ihaverealtoolstotakewithmethataremyownnow.Iknowhowtofollowmypathandbeme.-SherriCSorefreshingtohaveguidancethatallowsmetotakechargeofmyownpower.Iwisheveryonecouldexperiencethis!ItexceededanythingIcoulddreamof!Andyourcookingisphenomenal!!-BeckyALikegoingonvacationwithatourguidewhoshowsyouaroundyourself.Everythingaboutitfeltnaturalandreallikeaneverbeforegreattreat.ThanksRonda,youaretrulydoingholywork!-JamieL

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IinviteyoutoenjoymorepersonalizedcommentsaboutthisbeautifulexperienceasareleftintheSoulArtsGuestBookforfellowsojournerscomingnextalongthetrail,andpublishedunderTestimonialsonmywebsite.-Thankyou,mySoulArtsFamily,forsharingyourquestandloveinthisbeautifulway!

ANINVITATIONFROMRONDA**

Alltheartswepracticeareapprenticeship.Thebigartisourlife.--M.C.Richards

Youareinvitedtocontactmeformoreinformationaboutprivatesessions,apprenticeshipsandonlineprograms.Therearealsoalotoffreematerialsandcontemplativereadingsonmywebsites.Pleasejoinus–andseeforyourself–whatyourlifebecomeswhenyouinvoketheartoffindingandfollowingyourlife’struegenius.

Blessingsonthisamazingjourneyofalifetime!

rondalarueREADRONDA’SCLASSICFIRSTBOOK:RememberingWhoYouReallyAre:TheJourneyofAwakeningToSoul(onAmazon.com,Kindle,andthroughRonda’sWebsite)“ASKRONDA”–PostyourquestionandjoinouronlineSoulArtsCommunityonlinetoengageandinspireyourlife!(www.rondalarue.com)

MYSTERYSCHOOL–2YearSoulArtsApprenticeship&CertificationPrograms(ByApplication)

http://www.rondalarue.comhttp://www.CenterForSoulArts.com

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