Further Thoughts on Role
As living human beings we are genetically and culturally encoded.
Culture – the structuring processes of culture – can both restrain and enable the intended advancement of our humanness.
Each and all have purpose, intentional purpose, which is inclusive of self and family, but which reaches beyond those to the whole of humanity, and ultimately embraces the whole of life.
At times, like now, the taking on of intentional purpose, intentional role, requires of us the not so comfortable “act” of stepping outside of current culture… reaching beyond its limitations, the desires and affirmations – being good, being successful, etc. – of our culture. And within that culture, reaching beyond the limitations and affirmations of the culture of the various communities to which we belong, in which we participate – for example, academic, business, religious, scientific, educational, political, etc.
Intentional reaching is an act of will, a process of will requiring wholistic seeing and understanding not present in the restraining culture; but a seeing and understanding required for the work of now… the work essential to intended unfolding.
We have seen these notions at work in previous reflections on the authentic “Yes” of Mary… a yes that understood the cultural implications of her accepting – embracing – the work, the intentional, instrumental work before her. Recent reflections on the transfiguration of Christ have brought to light some similar seeing. Given the culture of the times – its pursuits, what was leading its thinking; the sense of accomplishment with regard to one’s own, the validation of those that had come before; and the ultimate stamp of approval from the Father – no doubt Christ could, in a celebratory way, have accepted the acclaim and inclinations of his people. Yet, he, with great resolve, went forth along a path not visible within the culture… a path of realization – the realization of potential, the realization of intent… a path of bringing – making accessible on earth to earth’s people – an all-inclusive love… a path of manifesting spirit through the completion of his work… a path of reconciling forgiveness, that through the sending of the Spirit – Spirit accessible to all – would make possible our taking up the work… work that could bring forth that which was greater than he himself had performed (Jn14:12) – the visible miracles so necessary and satisfying to the reasoning mind of existence, the dominant mind of that time, of our time. And ultimately he made visible a path, a way (Jn14:6) for us to follow… a path not of our making; rather a path of intent, of intended ways… a new path, yet the original path.
It is this notion of way that is so revealing at this time. I am the way (versus I am it) is about process. It is about seeing, enabling and understanding process… ongoing, unfolding process… and ultimately seeing life as process, seeing truth as process, seeing Christ as process… process organized by the particular work of now and carried out through roles – initiating roles; the particular initiating role of now being intentional grandmothering.
In contemplating and dialoguing this role – intentional grandmothering – it is important to hold in mind two critical anchors, anchors that serve as both ground and guiding star, those being compassion, the compassion of equality, and intuition, the intuition of wholeness. It is through the compassion of equality that we stay connected to the Source… thus the need to work for all children, all my children in the world. It is through the intuition of wholeness that we stay connected to – see and understand – intent and intended ways of working. Through the intuition of wholeness we gain access to the wisdom of intent… wisdom being present to the unfolding creation. Thus the instrumentality of the intuition of wholeness in the work of bringing the world of our making into congruence with the world of intent… and further, wholeness is not only the ongoing aim of intuition, but is also the aim of the work of now… an aim expressed as moving towards wholeness, away from that which divides.
With regard to taking up our work and role, three processes have emerged as central – intentional writing, intentional reading, and intentional dialoguing – each of which has been described in previous writings. Recently, however, we have begun to see intentional dialoguing as a true reconcile – that which embraces, lifts up, makes more whole and complete that which was revealed in intentional writing and reading… a seeing that has been an experiential reality for those who have been actively present in the dialogue.
Reflecting further on the experience of the dialogue participants brings forth these thoughts. Mind is process, having much more of a being character than the character of function – function having the nature of character more associated with the structure we call the brain, and the functioning more related to thinking, problem solving, etc. Mind in process creates an energy field which enables and elevates the process and processing; not unlike that which we witness when a returning bee engages the hive in the ritual dance regarding a newly discovered field of flowers, clover, etc. Here again, right nature of processing generates a particular mind within which an “eye” emerges that can see what was previously unseen… especially in terms of work and role. All of which brings added insight to the unfolding understanding that at this time, community is the smallest whole.
Shifts, true shifts – that which reaches beyond incremental improvements of what is – call upon, require of us an advancement in humanness… require our moving in the direction of becoming more fully, more truly, more wholly human. The taking up of the way and path, the teachings, the work and the all-inclusive love of Christ, makes this seeable and possible. Shifts, true shifts begin with and look to process – the initiating source of spirit and energy; that which sustains the potential in an activity… our potential to be and become, at this time of now, an intentional people of earth.
Role, by its nature, looks to process – the seeing, the leading, the managing of process – and when done intuitively, seeks wholeness… wholeness more akin to realizing potential than solving a problem… moving more in the direction of increasing ableness – ableness to be and become. As role shifts in accord with the shift and work of now, the seeing process and seeking wholeness of intuition are not diminished but rather become an entry point, experiential ground and ableness, for reaching beyond self and family to the whole of humanity; and ultimately embracing the whole of life… the depth and wholeness required of an intentional role… the depth and wholeness clearly present in the role of intentional grandmothering… a role grounded in the compassion of equality and one that develops, accesses and comes from the intuition of wholeness – that which enables us to see intent and intended ways of working. For development, added ableness, seeing and understanding with regard to the intuition of wholeness, we look to the three processes of intentional reading, writing and dialoguing… which in accord are inspirited and energized by prayerful questioning – seeking to see intended ways – and an active and growing presence of serious intent – intent to take up the work, take on an intentional role.
As we have contemplated and dialogued the work now before us and as the image of intentional grandmothering has emerged, so too has emerged the aim of creating an active presence of a “work for all children in the world” culture. Creating an active presence – perhaps not unlike that which Christ lifted up through saying, Where two or more are gathered together in my name, there am I in their midst (Mt18:20), versus changing, constructing, putting in place, etc. – shifts our focus away from doing, away from problem solving, and moves us towards role… towards being and becoming… increasing our ableness to come from, to hold in mind, and bring forth in process, true consideration of all my children in the world, true consideration of the whole of life… processes more akin to reconciling than compromising, more aimed at advancing humanness than incremental improvements. All of which brings to mind leading, planning and managing – essential and common processes of humankind; now, however, seeking to see them not only in the context of our role, but also within community – the smallest whole of our time, this time of now.
In contemplating and dialoguing the processes of leading, planning and managing, it is critical that we remember the imagery and work of an active presence versus the common inclinations of predetermine, make happen, etc.; also remembering that all roles seek to serve the intended unfolding of this time… an intended unfolding emerging from and towards an image held by the Source – not directed by our image, our will; rather Thy will being done (Mt6:10). Remembering and honoring this does not absolve us from development and preparation; but does add clarity to the way and work of our role. In that regard some thoughts about leading, planning and managing have emerged.
Central to intentional leading is that which will work for all my children in the world… remembering that all children are children of and from life and totally dependent upon the vitality and viability of the life processes of earth.
Central to intentional planning is the Father’s commandment is eternal life (Jn12:50) – eternalizing life on and through this earth… remembering that our ways of living and working are intended to be harmonious and congruent with intent and intended ways. This is both the original intent and the everlasting intent.
Central to intentional managing is that we come from above, not from below… that our processes are sourced in essence patterns of intent versus existence – the needs and desires of existence… remembering that it is through work – real work – that spirit is accessed and manifested… work and role being the means by which essence is manifested in existence.
And, of course central to all of this is the often stated truth: If love is not present in the process, love will not be present in the outcomes. If love, all-inclusive love, does not enter the process, the particular advancement of humanness required for the intended shift will not occur; without all-inclusive love, it will be impossible. If all-inclusive love is to enter, truly enter, it is necessary that we:
Pursue reaching beyond self and family; including the whole of humanity, the whole of life.
Engage in processes that are more fully embracing of the whole of the truth of Christ; processes inclusive of salvation and of returning; but reaching beyond, embracing becoming, the coming of the kingdom.
Embrace the whole of the truth of Life – the Source of life, of intended ways of working of life on this earth. Seek seeing and understanding; move away from manipulative knowledge and ways.
It is through serious intent and willful pursuit of the necessary that we engage in the process of creating receptive instruments and pathways for all-inclusive love to enter into our ways such that the intended advancement in humanness – that which is required for continued unfolding – can be brought about.
Perhaps this is a useful stopping point for this writing… writing that is evoking in me some imagery of a command: Be ye like children (Mt18:3)… and seeing this while remembering that the purposeful work of the children is to make life whole.
Then… and Now
In seeking to add imagery and understanding to the initiating role of intentional grandmothering, we find ourselves reflecting on then and now. “Then” being thought of as the time of Christ’s presence on earth, and the early days (the first two to three hundred years) of Christianity; “now” being considered as the immediate now, the stirring, the work and role before us now… now, at this time of potential.
Taking on a role, an initiating role, is not a foreign process for women… not then; not now. Looking back, we can readily see this in the authentic “Yes” of Mary… the yes through which Christ entered into the world; and further in her active presence in the initiating of the work of Christ. We can also see this in the unfolding process of the risen Christ, not only in Mary Magdalene and the women who first embraced the risen Christ, but ongoingly in the early and unfolding days of Christianity… and is visibly present today. Reflecting on this through the eyes and understanding of intuition, we begin to see:
THEN: Here the women, through intuition – seeing process, seeking wholeness – saw the process of Christ and within that, the potential wholeness of self, of family, of humanity. Through the compassion of caring for – caring for the poor, the sick, the outcasts, etc. – they sustained their and our connectedness with the Source; and through that could innerly experience a oneness with the Source, with the Love of the Source, with the Hope within the Source… a compassion expressed through good works of charity, works not aimed at gaining salvation, but rather meaningful ways for following the path of Christ… ways for enabling love – advancing humanness love – to enter into our world, to enter into our ways of living and working… an advancement of humanness now possible through the reconciling forgiveness brought about through the work of Christ. They looked to the teachings/gospels of Christ for seeing and understanding intent… paying heed to the reasoned interpretation of these brought forth by the reasoning mind of existence – the dominant mind of the time; yet (a significant “yet” given the work of now) wisely did not surrender the powers of intuition – powers essential to leading and organizing the “kitchen table process” of that time, powers essential for processes within family and community. Thus the gift, the necessary instrument for advancing our humanness, for moving towards wholeness, and becoming more fully and truly human, was kept alive… alive and accessible for the work of today.
NOW: At this time there is yet again an intuitive stirring… a restless awakening that is being innerly experienced by more and more of us… a shift, a true and real advancement of our humanness, is seeking to come about. Now, women are being called to extend, develop and realize the potential of this gift of intuition… to do so through accessing and developing the intuition of wholeness – the seeing of process, of intent, of the intended ways of working of life; seeking wholeness within and through life… and seeing and seeking the wholeness of the truth of Christ… being called not only to see life as process, but also to see Christ as process… to see Christ as the manifesting will of the Source; to see Christ in terms of the coming of the kingdom, and in terms of Thy will being done on this earth (Mt6:10) – in the here and unfolding now.
A call not so much about returning, but rather a clear focus on becoming, on our becoming an intentional people of earth… a people preparing the way for the coming of the kingdom.
A call for establishing an intended, realizable at this time, connection to the Source… connecting to the Source through the compassion of equality, the nature of compassion expressed in working for all my children in the world… the nature of work and ways of working that are bringing and will continue to bring into and within our communities, ever increasing depth and meaning to the commandments of Love God; Love one another as I have loved you (Mk12:30, Jn13:34)… which, following the pattern of truth, will bring increasing oneness and wholeness as well. For it is the way of truth to enfold the truths of the previous into the intended unfolding; having them emerge with greater depth, meaning and wholeness… more complete expressions of essence.
A call requiring a life of the whole perspective of the teachings and gospels of Christ… a necessary perspective for seeing the whole of the truth of Christ; the wholeness of the intent of Christ… the wholeness of the intent of Christ lifted up as he taught us to pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as in heaven (Mt6:9-13)…
Reflecting on what has been written, with particular attention to what is now being called for, brings to mind the necessity for accessing, utilizing and developing the intuitive mind of essence. It is through intuition that it becomes possible to answer “Yes” to this call… an initiating yes, carried out through the role of intentional grandmothering… a yes that draws upon both heart and mind… draws upon both the openness to Spirit and the manifesting of spirit. This reflecting also brings forth some imagery…
Seeing lamps (Mt25:1-13), lamps of serious intent, at the ready;
with oil, the oil of intuition, in ample supply…
The hearing of approaching footsteps along the path…
an excited anticipation of the coming…
an approaching realization of the reality and urgency of NOW…
Perhaps a good place to pause.
