2011.11.03 07:00 - Really being there

The Guardian for this meeting was Storm Nordwind. The comments are by Storm Nordwind.

Friends meet.

Eliza Madrigal: Hi Storm :)
Storm Nordwind: Good morning Eliza!
Storm Nordwind: How are you today?
Eliza Madrigal: Hm, hard to say actually
Eliza Madrigal: How is your day beginning?
Storm Nordwind: Unusually so far, but OK! Beautiful sun shining on thick snow outside. 16 degrees F.
Eliza Madrigal: I bet that is amazing to wake to!
Eliza Madrigal: The picture you shared, maybe last week, is so lovely too
Storm Nordwind: "Awake" is probably too strong a word!
Eliza Madrigal smiles
--BELL--

Integration.

Eliza Madrigal: May I ask you a question...?
Storm Nordwind: of course!
Eliza Madrigal: thank you. It may not be clear yet but a beginning... I wanted to ask your experience of 'integration' in spiritual (for lack of the better word) terms
Storm Nordwind: Sure. Please take as much time as you want :)
Eliza Madrigal: In my own experience it seems that there are times of learning and taking in, and processing along with that... but then there are these huge drops....
Storm Nordwind nods
Eliza Madrigal: and in those drops, things come 'up'
Eliza Madrigal: and it feels very messy
Eliza Madrigal: and confusing :)

Faith.

Storm Nordwind: I think I know what you mean!
Eliza Madrigal: yes?
Storm Nordwind: Life is rarely uniform.
Storm Nordwind: And new experiences sometimes take a while to process...
Storm Nordwind: and sometimes new experiences need a shake-out of what we already think we know or believe - or do
Eliza Madrigal: mmm, nods... this is it... and there is some feeling of not knowing what is being processed...
Storm Nordwind: Indeed. And - although i rarely use the word - this is where 'faith' comes into ones practice, whether that faith is in an entity, or in something abstract, or simply self-confidence, or the company of one's friends.
Eliza Madrigal: so interesting that you use that word, when I found myself using it yesterday... sort of rare for me... I guess coming out of paradigms early on that used faith as the opposite of questioning

Sangha.

Eliza Madrigal: I do have faith in the company of friends :) see me here :))
Storm Nordwind: Ah yes! We are taught in our culture that the two have no room for each other!
Storm Nordwind: Haha - that company of friends can be so delightful and mean so much in itself. :))
Eliza Madrigal: indeed :)
Storm Nordwind: But in, for example, Buddhism, that is what sangha is about.
Storm Nordwind: Doubtless in other systems of practice they have other words.
Eliza Madrigal: sangha is curious... sense of provoking and challenging one another along with support or as support...
Eliza Madrigal: spiritual friends as opposed to ego friends
Storm Nordwind: Yes!
Storm Nordwind: Although often very affectionate friends :)
Eliza Madrigal: :) yes
Eliza Madrigal: well credit where credit is due and praise doesn't have to be about ego
Storm Nordwind smiles

Being thankful.

Storm Nordwind: Over the last few years - and you may even have noticed this - I no longer thank people for saying pleasant or complimentary things about me or my work here. I simply say "You're very kind" :) Because the giver of the compliment has the credit, in my view - and it immediately takes any ego out of it. :)
Eliza Madrigal smiles... very interesting, that
Eliza Madrigal: when I was little I was taught to refuse compliments but then I had a friend who simply said 'thank you' and I found it so gracious...
Eliza Madrigal: because yes there is an acknowledgement of the person's noticing or appreciation
Eliza Madrigal: appreciation of that
Eliza Madrigal: :)
Xirana Oximoxi: hello Eliza , Storm :)
Storm Nordwind: Yes. Genuine thanks is important. I've found a way for myself to make it as genuine as it is meant!
Storm Nordwind: Hi Xir!
Eliza Madrigal: Hi Xirana :) You are in time for the restart which has chosen Storm today :)
--BELL--
Storm Nordwind: So we have a region restart coming in 3 minutes - shall we walk over to the Cafe and continue there?
Xirana Oximoxi: ooops...restar:)
Eliza Madrigal: sure :)
Xirana Oximoxi: yes:)

We continue in the coziness of the Kira Cafe...

Xirana Oximoxi: I like the fire:)) here is a little cold today:)
Eliza Madrigal: cozy here :)
Storm Nordwind: Here too - outside it is -9
Xirana Oximoxi: I wonder if just seeing the image of fire our sensation of warm increases :)
Eliza Madrigal: mine does :)
Storm Nordwind smiles... warmly!
Xirana Oximoxi: I think mine too:)

Constructive patterns in the midst of destructive tendencies.

Eliza Madrigal ponders constructive tendencies
Eliza Madrigal: :)
Storm Nordwind: Eliza, do you want to develop anything we were talking about before? (Totally up to you!)
Xirana Oximoxi: in what sense, Eliza?
Xirana Oximoxi: ahh yes... sorry I interrupt your conversation
Eliza Madrigal: well it fits a bit with the discussion we were having actually.... not at all X...
Eliza Madrigal: yesterday's afternoon session was a bit sensitive... people working with various sadnesses or frustrations in their lives...
Eliza Madrigal: and sharing that... just being together with it...
Eliza Madrigal: and looking at tendencies toward adding to that confusion with destructive or escape tendencies...
Eliza Madrigal: something like that :) So Sam mentioned the phrase constructive patterns...
Eliza Madrigal: then pondering the image of the fire bring warmth...
Eliza Madrigal: I suppose there is some comfort in a sense that even in deep confusions there may be the faith to hm...
Eliza Madrigal: find support or 'company'

Processing experiences.

Storm Nordwind: The conscious rational linear mind is often poorly suited to processing those kinds of experiences, I find.
Eliza Madrigal listens... if you'd say more that would be appreciated
Xirana Oximoxi: I am sure that sharing can also help to see sad or frustation experiences from other points of view
Storm Nordwind: Supportive company can often break a destructive mental flow and help the background processing to work - at the same time as providing a supportive environment.
Eliza Madrigal nods

Really being there.

Storm Nordwind: Sometimes seeing other perspectives on a situation, or hearing others' similar experiences, or just knowing that you're not 'alone' - can all help too.
Eliza Madrigal: yes, and ah....
Xirana Oximoxi: when someone is not involved can bring light to what seems dark... even if it does not give the solution
Eliza Madrigal: there is a difference between making someone (oneself in most cases) comfortable and really being there to 'break through' or 'let go' of something

Completely irrational.

Eliza Madrigal: was sharing the story of my first daughter's birth yesterday... how toward the end, I decided that I would get up and leave...
Eliza Madrigal: completely irrational
Storm Nordwind: Well, one can provide the start of the environment - an invitation to go further - and it iterates to something deeper - but one can't drive it, only iteratively respond.
Eliza Madrigal: mmm
Eliza Madrigal: in the process, midwives were kind, sort of put the ball in my court... wasn't like 'turning back' or 'changing one's mind' was an option :)) ... a very natural process actually, and feeling, I found out later
Eliza Madrigal: but at the time it was scary
Storm Nordwind: In this society, I've noticed people often equate 'irrational' with undesirable. But is that really the case? :)
Storm Nordwind: Yes, I've been at several births and can understand what you mean!
Xirana Oximoxi: I don't think so Storm!! we all have our deep irrational 'mind'... the very inside of us that we can not controll totally
Eliza Madrigal: :))
Eliza Madrigal: great phrase... deep irrational mind :)
Storm Nordwind nods
Xirana Oximoxi: well..it's my problem with English words:)) I try to say what I think with the words I have in ny 'inventory' of English :))
Storm Nordwind: In my old profession - software engineering - people often assumed you needed a linear rational mind to do your job well. Though I managed to succeed with my non-linear irrationality quite well! ;-)
Eliza Madrigal: a treasure from a blindspot then :)
Eliza Madrigal: you have confidence in your irrationality though, Storm :)

Snapshot.

Storm Nordwind takes a moment - before he forgets - to share the view outside his window this morning.

Eliza Madrigal: Oh! :))) thank you

Xirana Oximoxi: ohhhh thank you Storm!! wonderful view:))

Eliza Madrigal feels that

Storm Nordwind: Greetings Yaku!
Xirana Oximoxi: hello Yaku:))
Yakuzza Lethecus: hey everyone :)
Eliza Madrigal: Hi Ya :)

 

A poem.

Eliza Madrigal: I felt this sort of intense processing coming on a few days ago... and wrote a little poem... mind if I share it? hehe...
Storm Nordwind: Please do!!
Yakuzza Lethecus: yes please
Xirana Oximoxi: of course do Eliza!! :)
Eliza Madrigal: thank you :) meant to be read lightly....
Storm Nordwind chuckles
Eliza Madrigal:

Dear Mr. Einstein, that’s me…
The one not stopping…
Questioning assumptions
But –
Questioning the assumed place of
The projections
In my moment to moment reality
Screen –
Isn’t going over so well…
Like figures from Inception they keep
Turning to attack
And there seems to be
Real pain –
It isn’t like I can go another way
Without some drastic
Intervention from
A deeply persuasive capitalist
Hacker –
So, I’m waiting for further word.

Eliza Madrigal: (end)
Eliza Madrigal: :)
Storm Nordwind copies it to a friendly editor to make it easier to read :)
Eliza Madrigal: not sure why double spaces were made...
Eliza Madrigal: it is a little odd, I know :)
Storm Nordwind: Do you feel you are waiting?
Eliza Madrigal: I feel like there two opposite things happening at once
Storm Nordwind: Ah right
Eliza Madrigal: on various levels... in one place and everywhere :)
Storm Nordwind: In childbirth you can have confidence in a process that has happened billions of times before. But here, perhaps, that confidence of history may not be there?
Eliza Madrigal: indeed so
Eliza Madrigal: :) thanks for the company ... it will clarify I'm sure
Storm Nordwind: :)
Xirana Oximoxi: :)
Eliza Madrigal: :)
Xirana Oximoxi: I am sure too :)
Eliza Madrigal smiles

Mirrors.

Storm Nordwind: So easy to get into the loop of infinite reflections in parallel mirrors
Eliza Madrigal nods... yes wow...
Eliza Madrigal: and trying not to doesn't help at all... have to relax those frames I suppose
Eliza Madrigal: mirrors in frames...
Storm Nordwind nods and smiles
Storm Nordwind: yes
Eliza Madrigal: sorry for being intense :)) It really is a lovely day
Eliza Madrigal giggles
Storm Nordwind: Oh dear friend - I feel sometimes inadequate in my listening, but you are always very welcome :))
Xirana Oximoxi: well..the day really lovely, rainy, cld and stormy ....
Xirana Oximoxi: :))
Eliza Madrigal: deeply helpful Storm
Eliza Madrigal: irrational though that may be :)
Storm Nordwind chuckles
Yakuzza Lethecus: cloudy, stormy but still nice with this company :)
Eliza Madrigal: yes :) we are fortunate
Xirana Oximoxi: yes!!! the comany makes it become warm :))
Eliza Madrigal takes a deep breath, appreciative

Decoding.

Xirana Oximoxi: it's quite difficult for me to get the meaning of your peom, Eliza... I guess I'll have to read it more than once:)
Eliza Madrigal: :) Thanks for the effort... it is a little of a code poem perhaps
Xirana Oximoxi: well .. always difficult to read poetry in another language
Eliza Madrigal: you're kind :)
Xirana Oximoxi: :)
Storm Nordwind: yes - though our dear Eden also tries to *write* poetry in another language too!
Eliza Madrigal: we're all the better for Eden's daring nature :)
Eliza Madrigal: have been trying to express things this way more often since if I try to 'write or talk things out in a linear way it seems to run on and on... loops indeed
Storm Nordwind nods
Eliza Madrigal: perhaps another parallel to incisive/confident intuition (when clarified) vs rationality?
Eliza Madrigal: not doing away with rationality but allowing it its place
Storm Nordwind: yes. left vs. right brain is another model some find useful.
Eliza Madrigal: in perspective, nods
Yakuzza Lethecus: i had to think about how i try to order my random thoughts when i read ur poem, poems might be a way to get some focus on those
Xirana Oximoxi: rationality has been proved can not explain everything:)
Eliza Madrigal: may indeed Ya
Xirana Oximoxi: by luck:))
Eliza Madrigal: Xirana :))
Xirana Oximoxi: :)
Storm Nordwind: Poems are very useful. They're not just performance pieces. They often have greater value when read by no one but the author!
Eliza Madrigal: yes mine probably falls into that category, giggles
Storm Nordwind chuckles
Xirana Oximoxi: :)
Xirana Oximoxi: I go now... thanks for sharing intense thought with us Eliza:))
Xirana Oximoxi: and your poem:)
Storm Nordwind: Good to see you Xirana :)
Eliza Madrigal: Nice to see you Xirana :) thanks for the company :)
Xirana Oximoxi: see you all soon!!
Storm Nordwind waves
Xirana Oximoxi: and stay warm!!!!
Eliza Madrigal: yes!
Eliza Madrigal: maybe picture of fireplace in pocket :)
Eliza Madrigal: this is an interesting spot to watch the restart in.... pavilion disappears outside then reappears

A temple closed.

Eliza Madrigal: my local temple closed Storm... that is probably part of it... though I hadnt been attending
Eliza Madrigal: Hi Luci :)
Storm Nordwind: That can be a huge 'rocking of the boat' Eliza
Storm Nordwind: Good morning Cinda :)
Lucinda Lavender: good morning Storm:) , Yaku, Eliza:)
Eliza Madrigal nods
Lucinda Lavender: here for the last pause...
Eliza Madrigal: :)) smiles
Storm Nordwind: How did you feel about that temple closing Eliza?
Eliza Madrigal: like I should of attended more.. like it was my fault ... sort of
Eliza Madrigal: though it was many complex factors
Storm Nordwind: hmm... yes, I understand that
Eliza Madrigal: small group... a trip to India some took and when they came back some turbulence...
Yakuzza Lethecus: hi luci
Lucinda Lavender: Hi Yaku
Eliza Madrigal: then last person to be keeping everything up abruptly moved
Eliza Madrigal: so, hm.

"Second Life: Your region will restart in 5 minutes and 0 seconds for maintenance."

Storm Nordwind: Ha!!!
Yakuzza Lethecus: now this region
Eliza Madrigal: :)))
Storm Nordwind: Shall we walk back again?
Lucinda Lavender: Well...I wish you all a lovely day...
Lucinda Lavender: I must get to work...
Eliza Madrigal: Lovely day Luci :) Be well
Storm Nordwind: OK. Have good day :)
Yakuzza Lethecus: be well everyone, thx for ur poem eliza
Lucinda Lavender: thank you:)
Eliza Madrigal: yes maybe time to move on with the day :)
Storm Nordwind: Ah... OK...
Eliza Madrigal: feel very thankful though
Eliza Madrigal: I'll have to tell you about my pab dream a few weeks ago in which storm featured prominently :)
Storm Nordwind: Oh? Want to tell me before you leave (elsewhere of course)?
Storm Nordwind: I'll find us a location if you do
Eliza Madrigal: it will take a bit to write out actually, perhaps, so better to send :)
Eliza Madrigal: ((((((( Storm)))))))))
Storm Nordwind: OK - I'll look forward to it!
Storm Nordwind: Your company has been wonderful!!
Eliza Madrigal: Oh Storm, thank you so much. You are such a dear friend
Storm Nordwind: I am so touched - and I'm beaming a big big smile!
Eliza Madrigal: :::Bows:::::
Eliza Madrigal: Bye for now :)
Eliza Madrigal: :))
Storm Nordwind: Bye!