Shape Shifting, Encounters with Duality

Published on August 16, 2010 in Shape Shifting and Uncategorized. 0 Comments

I’ve yet to meet someone who has not dealt with duality–that precious gift of opposites and contradictions we face in life. What we believe about our past defines who we think we are, and thus begins the dance with Duality. But hold on, there’s more: Shape Shifting is an option.

Granted, once we begin to work with consciousness, we are apt to find thoughts, feelings, fear, and other such emotions amplified. But the point is to remember that nothing is ever fixed–everything, and I do mean, everything–is always in a state of flux. In my dream circles students begin by thinking a current situation is fixed. It’s as though we must go to the edge of our reality and step off the precipice before we can see that, in fact, nothing is written across the sky forever. A student identified a mattress he carried on board a dream airplane as his ego. In class he dealt with a futon, clumsy, cumbersome, unwieldy, and became frustrated. The lightheartedness in the group helped him consider the possibility that discarding the “mattress” might be a viable possibility. The idea didn’t come easily because in the waking state it is difficult to let go of feelings that protect us–self-righteousness, indignation must be protected or we think we’ve lost a battle.

Traditionally, shape shifting in the early Native cultures was considered being able to change oneself to another species, from human to owl or other form. I’ve heard from reliable sources that there are still some who can change themselves into something other than human, but generaly the consciousness has changed and we no longer “believe” in such phenomenon–for waking time, that is. The scientific mind is too strong now, but, even so, there are other ways that we can practice amazing shape shifts. In Corn Woman Sings: A Medicine Woman’s Dream Map I discuss this in greater detail. Here, I am referring to awareness in our dreams and waking that enables us to transcend the accepted norm and delve into consciousness as it is believed in the Western World.

Shape Shifting is a state of being wherein we, in essence, step lightly from rainbow to rainbow and travel easily and effortlessly through thoughts that could make us earthbound. We can let go of beliefs that bind us to the heavy and dense world; yet, shape shifting in our dreams is no easy feat. Dreams being the seat of reality, we shape shift there first, and bring the consciousness with us to apply to the waking world.

We could elect to see shape shifting as a test, like the student with the mattress, and be willing to travel through life lightly. Life is a dream, be willing to err on the side of compassion for yourself and others; let go for an instant of your tight grip on an idea and change right before people’s eyes. In my book, that’s real shape shifting. No medicines, no mind altering is necessary; just an instantaneous decision to let go of right and wrong in both the dreaming and the waking time.

Happy Trails,
EBD

As the Crow Lands

Published on July 26, 2010 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

I have a friend who’s been battling cancer in various ways for many years. It started in 1986. Now, twenty-three years later, other problems have surfaced. Despite the ups and down of the illness, she has managed to travel frequently to lovely places around the world. But, earlier this week, I accompanied her to the hospital for a treatment.

The wheel-chair accessible taxi arrived at the house at the scheduled time, 7:15 a.m. And, this is what this story is about: our trip to the hospital and some unexpected events that brought forth the power in Nature:

As we drove up the driveway to Out Patient Services, the beauty of the morning seaped through the windows; Shady sprawling oak trees. The area had just been watered, the irises stood at attention next to purple fountain grass. It was magical. The entire garden was rich in greens and purples, just magnificent. A sculpture of “Three Healing Angeles” situated at the far side of the driveway seemed to be in waiting for our arrival. It was a beautiful warm summer morning, and we could not have asked for a more appropriate welcome for the task that lay ahead.

As the van rolled in, a group of crows scattered slightly, but basically held their turf. I noticed one of the crows came unusually close to the car just above our heads on the overhang of the entrance. I thought they must be accustomed to having people come and go, and so I thought nothing of it. As soon as the car door opened, he flew down to the frame of the door and landed just a few inches from my face. Naturally, I said, “Hello,” and he just stood there looking directly at me. I sat still thinking I could assess his reason for making himself known. My first thought was, maybe he was hungry, and being familiar with people coming and going and perhaps being fed, I said, “I’m sorry, I don’t have anything to feed you.” He seemed to be unphased by the movement of the wheel chair as the driver released the straps and the chair rolled down the small incline.

As though releasing me from the seat belt, Crow flew back to the overhang and eyed me from there. I eyed him back. I tried frantically to remember his medicine. “Truth” was all I came up with. Truth. We had been silent in the car on the way over, but Just at that moment, the driver said, “I think we’re being invited to awaken.” By then, we were out of the car and the doors shut. I had another look around the garden; water glistened off the irises; I couldn’t believe our luck at this magical welcoming.

My friend and I have had many conversations about death, “Do you think he’s a harbinger of Death?” she wondered aloud. I laughed nervously; I wasn’t sure, but the time just didn’t seem right. “If he is, he was staring at me.” I wanted to offer something other than the ultimate possibility, but at the same time, I wasn’t reading the Crow’s appearance either. I made a mental note to look up Crow Medicine in the Native traditions.

At www.birdclan.org/crow.html I found a good source, “Crow knows the unknowable mysteries of creation and is the keeper of all sacred law. . . Crow is also the guardian of ceremonial magic and healing. In any healing circle, Crow is present. Crow guides the magic of healing and the change in consciousness that will bring about a new reality and dispel ‘dis-ease’ or illness. You can rest assure when ever crows are around, magic is near by and you are about to experience a change in consciousness. Crow can give you the courage to enter the darkness of the void, which is the home of all that is not yet in form.”

That confirmed what I had not been able to identify from my feelings.

Thanks for joining me today.
Sweet Dreams,
EBD

Power Is A Breath Within

Published on July 6, 2010 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Here’s what I want to leave with you, coming back to Dream Time being the Seat of Reality: Power is all around us; we see it in the smallest act we make to manifest our sacred gifts. We often overlook it because we wonder, who am I to claim such greatness? Power is subtle, safely tucked within us.

The truth is, we are a storehouse of power. The ability to create, develop our Sacred Gifts, grows in us steadily every time we choose to use it. We are born with it, and it reveals itself to us in our dreams; the more we use it, the sooner we discover our natural relationship with it. We feel its texture and color in myriad ways. We know it’s there, we know what needs to be done. But, here’s the catch to harnessing real power: Duality. Duality brings the flicker of contradictions. Duality presents itself and we feel as though we are dancing with our shadow. It depends on how determined we are to ride the waves of chaos and come out the other side. It’s a necessary step in achieving our life’s purpose. The point is to grab it and take a leap of faith.

Power comes through our awareness and relationship with nature. We communicate with it and listen to its words and challenges. A dream might spur the internal experience of it such as I had in the Power of the Mountain Dream discussed in Corn Woman Sings. In that dream I had a visceral experience of the enormity of the Universe. I saw and felt it. It touched me and changed my sense of reality, but very subtly, it set my life on a course I could only acquiesce and follow.

Just remember that power reveals itself to you in the way it chooses. And when it does, celebrate, and learn to dance with it, because it wants to be in relationship with you. Power can manifest itself dramatically or quietly awaken a memory, a secret within you that yearns for expression that only you will know how to satisfy. You may have a moment of illumination, feel a sense of satisfaction, and then wake up one day a gnawing feeling that there’s more exploration to be done. All these contradictions and frustrations are insignificant in comparison to the joy it brings. When the time is ripe, when you’ve come to terms with duality, you will know. You’ll stop measuring, questioning, criticizing, or dismissing it. The antidote to frustration in understanding the ways of Power is in keeping open the avenues of illumination and clarification, and accepting life as it is. Keep asking for directives.

In the early days of journal keeping I would have a dream that, in a sense, gave me a boost to remember my tasks and remain committed. Here is an example of the help I got that came from my relationship with nature after years or courting it in the dream time as well as in my waking:

Roar of the Lion Dream
“I’m at a noisy, busy train station where the trains are coming and going. I’m standing on a platform where I can see several lines of track, and decide to walk toward the outside of the station to examine a line of cargo cars loading circus animals. I step off the platform and onto hard-packed ground to examine the animals.

“I come face to face with a caged grown muscular lion. He’s not happy about his present condition and conveys his thoughts to me in a resounding roar that trembles earth, mountains, and trees. I jump back in terror and shock. He’s standing now and looking away from me as though to assure me I am safe, but something in his roar has reminded me of a commitment I have to him from lifetimes ago.”

In dreams thoughts are conveyed through images and not necessarily words. Imagine my amazement at the significance of the lion’s message. In his roar I receive the message to lift myself out of my human limitations and admit I’ve come into this life with special gifts equal to the size of the roar I’ve just heard. How does one take in such a gift? The call is definite and impelling. We take command by taking small, incremental steps toward the Truth, however pointless or ridiculous they may appear.

How does one acknowledge this kind of “power?” Life continues as it goes with its irritations and annoyances, and then here’s this Gift. The translation from spirit to the mundane requires artistry and agility. We receive the gift delicately and humbly. There’s no other way to put it, because the Gift requires our dedication to do the work we’ve agreed to do before this lifetime even if we deny that we know it. Somehow the truth wants to slip away unnoticed, uncelebrated, and we want to pretend we didn’t receive the message.

Just remember that what seems fantastic only appears that way because we measure it from the outside looking in. Trust is a crucial lesson.

Wild isn’t as wild as it seems. Take the leap into the Unknown.
EBD

Dreams, Seat of Reality? (Part 2)

Published on June 25, 2010 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

“I am as real here as you are standing there.” At the bottom of my driveway in Maui, I heard these words and looked up to see a figure standing on the roof of the house. I waited for my eyes to adjust to the shadow of the palm tree outside the front door. With the moonlight at midnight I couldn’t tell where the tree ended and the man’s body began. As I darted my eyes around the yard, I noticed that the leaves of the eucalyptus in the yard were emitting a soft but vibrant light. I looked back at the figure and he repeated, “I am as real here as you are standing there.”

My friend Claudette Peculik had just transitioned to her next left that day, and I assumed this was a gift from her. We’d talked many times of her illness and eventual moving on to her next life, and I saw this event at a message from her. There’s an opening that happens in the walls between the worlds when someone transitions. “Walls” is probably not the best way to put it; but, perhaps “curtain” would be more appropriate; sheer, see-through, walk-through curtain, available to our consciousness when we come to the edges of our human borders.

As I say in “Corn Woman Sings,” delving into dreams is a wild adventure into other dimensions. So, why would you bother? Simply stated, for the gifts that come from these various other dimensions–Awareness! Anything can happen–it is between you the dreamer and the Great Mystery. These are the powers of the Mother’s Medicine Bundle, expanded consciousness, intuitive gifts necessary to accomplish those tasks Destiny requires of you, wisdom, knowledge, and best of all, transformation.

This is just one reason for venturing forth, though the gifts of entering other realms are unforeseeable. Your consciousness will take you to what you need to see and experience.

The Ancient Dreamers used other realms to gather power: to amass the energy to accomplish in the waking world what needed the aid and assistance, the Divine, Spirit Guides; call the help what you would like. This was where shape shifting was practiced, where a medicine person engaged with the power of the universe to cause change in the face of challenge of a petitioner.

Sacred Gifts come of these travels. A person could receive a melody laced with power to be used for the preservation of a community; ritual empowerment; or a symbol for painting.

Enhanced consciousness, expanded consciousness, is another gift that can come from opening the channels of awareness at deeper levels of reality. Time is enhanced. We come upon what is normally thought of as the “future.” And, we are changed in recognition of the gifts we receive. If more people availed themselves of the gifts of going deeply into dreams, the desecration of Mother Earth would be halted because there would be the connection and awareness of the suffering of all life, and people would be able to see the effects of disregarding what they saw.

But, the point is that going into other realms is just like any other activity that requires practice. You get better at it as you avail yourself of these experiences. Most often people wake up when they start experiencing something unusual and call it a nightmare in the morning. It isn’t that at all. It’s your mind attempting to understand the event from the laws of physics in the waking world. Hold still, and observe–that’s all you need to learn. You Will Be Rewarded For Your Efforts! I Guarantee it.

Take a chance, aim for the Good Stuff, and be amazed.
EBD

Dreams, the Seat of Reality? (Part 1)

Published on June 20, 2010 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

My niece Valerie and her seven year old daughter visited me yesterday and we went to Sausalito for a stroll along the water. As we listened to the water sloshing against the rocks, we began talking about Corn Woman Sings, and Val said, “You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you about ‘dreams being the seat of reality, and waking life, the dream.” I had to think about that.

I remembered my epic dream “Going to Tlalocan” that places me at the top of a pyramid and shows me the Wisdom of the Four Directions. Dreams have a way of offering a virtual trip through reality that goes by unnoticed or unseen in our waking time, and this dream invites me into a multi-level reality where I viscerally feel the essence of the South as a place to be birthed and transformed. At it’s opposite, the North, I see those segments of my life where I die and am restored over and over in my waking time. At the end of the dream a voice admonishes me to wake up to life and let each moment show me the wide array of choices available in defining reality. “Know which God you are serving, and which world you are in.”

So, when I think of the God of Duality deciding our Destiny at the moment of conception and the being we are to become, I turn to the Sacred Gifts we receive for the journey. These gifts may be obvious from the time we are infants, or they may develop slowly across a lifetime. I’ve seen some people manifest their gifts well into their elder years. The tradition of “Death Showing Compassion” became obvious to me when I was in my 40’s, though I didn’t recognize it as a gift at the time.

What I find interesting, is that the path becomes apparent as we follow through in the directives handed us in our dreams–and that takes faith or trust.

Living by faith, or living from the heart as some people may think of it, is an example of taking the spiritual realm seriously enough to then bring forth the gift that lies hidden within the directive. Destiny’s call comes from within the spiritual realm, and we take whatever steps to manifest what’s been given. It’s the call from the Spirit Realm that sets the stage for our lives. Obstacles in the path toward manifestation are illusions, and we must overcome them and forge ahead to manifest what’s been given By Spirit.

So, returning to the fact of Dreams as the Seat of Reality, the Dream “Going to Tlalocan,” illustrates it perfectly. I hear the call to become conscious or awake, and I make a conscious decision to pay close attention to the inner voice. This voice tells me something my soul already knows and the dream helps me see and understand the value in being attentive.

When we take into consideration that the Old Dream Sages traveled into other dimensions and communicated with spirits beyond our understanding, we begin to see a complexity to reality that baffles our Western mind. But, it’s precisely because they vibrant and active universe that they had to believe life in the waking time was not the whole truth. It gets murky and circular. For now, I will just say that following the heart (voices from the Spiritual Realms) empowers us to manifest what Destiny has chosen for us; limiting ourselves to the waking self reduces our chance to a magnificent life as designed in the Spiritual Realm. Ignoring the dream and the directive, “know which world we are in and which God we are serving,” bypasses our connection to the wisdom coming from the Spirit Realm, from which True value comes. And this is why The sages believed that the Seat of Reality was in the Dream Time. They saw that life was a vale of tears and deceit, and Dream Time was full of wonder and magic that could be utilized in the waking time. Does that make sense?

Part 2 will delve into multidimensionality and why it’s important to having a rich and authentic life today.

Sweet Dreams,
EBD

Back to Culling the Dream

Published on June 10, 2010 in Destiny and Uncategorized. 0 Comments

What I love about blogging is that I get to see how easily I can get distracted and move onto other things while the draft of a new entry remains a draft for longer than intended.

“Dreams, Sacred Gifts, and Artists as Mystics,” is the title I gave to a new project that was just completed. I got to test some of my theories in hearing artists talk about their art, their sources of inspiration, and their desire to push toward transformation of themselves, their art, and the transformation of the world.

The inspiration for the project came from a dream, but the idea hit me at a time I was busily scrubbing away at the tile in the bathroom thinking about my next move. It was so clear–like a dream that came and said, “Do this. . .” and swiftly flew away. The difference to this shiny new idea is that this time I paid attention and didn’t judge it. I immediately stopped what I was doing, picked up the telephone to make contact with a friend who has access to the services at the Marin Community Media Center in San Rafael, CA. I submitted the proposal as requested, and two month later, I, as moderator, and a group of artists, Gary Politzer, fine art and digital artist; Diana Marto, fine art paper maker and performance artist; and MamaCoAtl, curandera, lyricist and singer, produced a video for public television to put my concepts to the test. It was thrilling–terrifying–but thrilling!

I froze, and we’ll have to do a voice over to cover up my shaky and faulty beginning, but so what! It got done and something good is coming out of it. Grand ideas don’t come to fruition unless we walk through the fire and spring them to life. So many times, I’ve had great ideas, instantly discounted them as absurd, and promptly laid them to rest before their glorious moment.

As the Guatemalan Day Keepers say, “The dream will struggle against the dreamer to be forgotten.” We must learn the art of stalking dreams and capturing them. Manifesting them must come from force of habit; otherwise, they become like King Tut’s jewels hidden within the dark mysterious chambers of Giza.

Here is an excerpt from Chapter Seven: Sacred Gifts of Corn Woman Sings which suggests you court your dreams and the gifts they bear:

“The topic of sacred gifts, most often merely called power, is vast and multileveled. As mentioned in the previous chapter, destiny calls, leaves directves and brings with it the tools to follow through. For us as dreamers, taking action is as important as receiving destiny’s request. . . The dreamer’s responsibility is to honor the gifts and follow the dictates of destiny according to the power that the gifts impart to you. Gifts of healing, seeing the future and the past, anticipating death, creative endeavors, and the like–carry with them responsibility to the spirit realm. These gifts are for the perpetuation and empowerment of the community. Their unfolding happens while we participate in listening and doing our part in making our mind, body and spirit ready for them. . .”

Dream:

“A group of students are filming their instructor’s lecture in the Financial District in San Francisco where I am having lunch on a low stone wall. The professor, a stocky Mexican man with black wavy hair, announces in his tutorial voice, ‘You must sing your song. When you have a song, you must sing it out joyously.’ That’s his lecture. With his talk concluded, he breaks into song–beautiful waves of energy flow from his lips like the music of silver bells. A Luscious melody resounds in my being, and the world stops to listen reverently. ‘Just sing your song. Everyone has a song to sing. Belt it out!’ He laughs sweetly.”

According to the Native Sages and Dreamers, the seat of reality lies within our dreams. There is a greater over-arching purpose that reveals itself to us over the course of our lives. Our job is to understand what that purpose is, and follow through on the smaller assignments that come to us as day dreams or flights of fancy. Stick to what makes your heart sing. Life just makes more sense that way.

Sing your song.
EBD

The Business of Living

Published on February 24, 2010 in Destiny. 0 Comments

How quickly time passes, yet, I suspect it is not so much that time passes quickly that I don’t make entries, but that I slow down to a little snail’s pace. My last entry was nearly a month ago; and I have this plan that I will announce my book to the “public.” But, first, I have to update the website, and I get derailed with a million other little plans that need further development. Then, too, big things happen: the death of a friend’s friend; a sister-in-law. Life has to slow down.

So, what’s the truth of what I am doing with the creative aspect of my life, the part of me that wants to be guided and operate out of my spiritual foundation? I forget the real plan, and I get caught up in minutia. An illusion crops up, that I am carrying this heavy duffle bag of the past filled with overwhelming feelings of dread, loneliness, abandonment–it slows me down, and I start calling it “time passing quickly.”

The point is to keep moving. There are so many options from which to choose to express the subtle, elusive creative response to Destiny. Do I choose to bring the heavy duffle bag? Because if I do, chances are I will come to a standstill. So, here is the solution I’m coming up with right now:

Just Do It! Leap into action and don’t ask questions. If it’s a desire of the heart, it needs expression. If it’s an item from a “to do list” of three weeks ago, so what? Just Do It. So, that’s what this topic is about–staying on track with the waking world, and doing that which brings the greatest joy to the soul.

Think about it, if we think and dwell on what’s wrong, we create more of what is wrong; but, if we gaze upon the brilliant light that flickers off and on, then eventually, we’ll get into the rhythm of the gift it offers and bring it to fruition. Let it shine.

Pick your star and make it shine! That’s what living out our Destiny is all about. What’s important to you? What makes you happy? Writing makes me happy. Talking about the creative process makes me happy. Getting others to join me in this march toward colorful expression makes me happy. And that’s what Destiny is all about. We keep moving forward even when we don’t feel like pushing through the inertia, or the duffle bag is too heavy to bring forward–leave it behind–and make something happen that makes you sing.

Where do dreams fit into this? Ahh. The Maya believe that the dream will struggle against the dreamer to bring it forth. Sometimes, you will have only a fleeting wisp of a thought. Leap for it as though grabbing for a light, fluffy feather. Hold it gently in your hand, and do something magical with it. Once exposed to the light of day, it’s real. Poetry spills out from this magical feather; bellies full of laughter become melodies making you swoon with rapture and make your heart swell with shouts of Joy and glee.

Take your time. Resistance shows up with harsh criticism. Don’t fight it; let it be and put it aside for a couple of hours or however long you need (within reason, of course). Dance around the resistance and hold to what is created. Let the birth of this creation settle and take hold. It’s yours! The gifts coming forth are reflections of your Destiny, and must be treasured.

Be well.

Remembering Dreams

Published on January 26, 2010 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Here are some quick easy steps for remembering your dreams and writing them down at the end of a “productive” night. Your dreams are your friends and want to get to know you, though they can be sneaky and disappear from sight upon awakening. Gently coax them out!

Comfy bed and blankets in dark peaceful room
Relax body and breath
Good night’s sleep
Pen and note pad at bedside
Prayer for Remembering your dreams
Write memories of dreams upon waking
Meditate on dreams’ meaning

This daily practice increases dream recovery. Observe as Destiny and Gifts of Power unfold gracefully.

Creativity

Published on January 26, 2010 in Destiny. 0 Comments

Traditionally, in the Meso American cultures, discovering one’s creativity is a process toward transformation. In order to understand the images that come up on your dream screen, it’s helpful to be on the alert for them, and to REMEMBER that you are seeking direction from your guides.

Now, I haven’t said anything about dream guides, but these are like mentors that you will meet within your dreams that are guiding your process and will point out your strengths and weaknesses. That’s all I will say about dream guides for now, but more will come later.

Everything I say in this section is also in my book. I’m using this blog to engage you in the process toward transformation, self-discovery, and cultivation of your creativity. The dream world you have entered into is more real than the waking. However, in the West, we’re under the delusion that dreams are helter-skelter and not worth studying. Therefore, developing relationships in your dreams is no different than developing relationships in the waking world: you have to be nice, friendly, alert, observant, and generally, perceptive.

Creativity becomes an ally when you explore your creativity between waking and dreaming. If you take a step toward an image that you see in your dreams, the image steps closer to you as well. All this may appear to be at an unconscious level, but it is happening as long as it is your heart’s desire to be in touch with your inner world.

My dreams destiny/creativity dreams were separated by years between clues. That’s unnecessary here, however. You, I, and others can expedite the process by supporting each other’s process externally.

To summarize what I’ve stated in this blog entry: Be on the alert; treat your dream life as though it is more real than your waking life; Cultivate friendships with people who are trying to befriend you in your dreams.
It’s that simple.

Destiny cont’d

Published on October 19, 2009 in Destiny. 0 Comments

On the Threshold

Forgive me for procrastinating so long. I’m here to support you, but I had my own issues. I was afraid to let people know me on a day-to-day basis. Sound familiar? Thank you for your patience and your comments. I received some nice comments. Recently, I had a dream about a sleezy guy stealing my wallet who tricked me because I was guarding it with my life, and yet, he managed to steal it from me. When I woke up in the morning I saw that this dream meant that something/one had stolen my identity. But that’s just how Destiny is, it is ours, it presents itself to us individually, but we think we have all the time in the world to let it manifest. It’s quite terrifying, as evidenced by the number of blocked writers (bloggers like me) and other artists. The Maya believe that a dream struggles to remain anonymous; that it will hide so that we don’t remember it. Destiny is that way too.Creativity is part of our Destiny, and yet we wait for the weather to be perfect before we venture out to take the risk. Writing has been my passion since I was a girl of 15 years. Look how long it has taken me to externalize it! I trust you are identifying with what I am saying. Sure, I wrote my way through undergraduate school, then the Dissertation, and now Corn Woman, but there’s a way I’ve kept this a secret. That’s over now, and I am here also to share my wisdom.
Here’s what I say in Corn Woman Sings about how Destiny taps us on the shouder and grabs our attention: “For the dreamer/curandera, the topic of destiny is especially important because it defines her/his role in life, a role that is transmitted through dreams. The Aztec and Maya cultures highly valued the process of discovering one’s destiny, because the path toward it ran parallel to the path toward transformation. The dream guides the dreamer by showing the next level of attainment. As our dreams direct us, we find that in deciphering our destinies, we enter upon the ultimate of spiritual tasks–discovery of sacred gifts that lead to out transformation and transcendence as well as that of the world’s.
“Belief in destiny is a difficult concept for Westerners to accept because the idea is in direct opposition to self-determination by the individual. Yet, destiny neither negates responsibility nor leaves us open to whim. We have many choices to make. La curandera/medicine woman/artist may recognize a special talent in healing, music, art, writing or dancing, etc. The list is endless. In this paradigm, developing these talents requires taking personal responsibility to develop them for the sake of the culture. Destiny gives the means by which to create the powerful symbols and if we respond to it, teachings resulting from art. When destiny speaks, we feel the expansion of consciousness. The empowerment that follows provides the certainty and wherewithal to follow through.