Second Series – Issue 3
A Love Letter from Sage-ing International
Era of Awakening
Seeking a New Path
The Executive Circle of Sage-ing International continues to send love to our beloved community. As in past months, we remain mindful in upholding your welfare, the well-being of our global neighbors and the healing of Earth. As many communities begin to envision a new path forward in re-opening, re-connecting and re-discovering, there is dense grief and unrest that prevails. This season of the COVID-19 has brought us to our knees—in our individual lives, societies and countries. We have been shaken to our core. Now, it is coming to light that this great disturbance has given way to the unveiling of deep instability relative to other unresolved and critical issues around the world. 
We cannot control what is happening in our midst, but we do have control of how we “show up” in our lives. We also have capacity to hold a life-affirming vision and contribute to transformation as we seek a new path forward. It may be that we do not have the language or images to optimally have discourse about the future. Yet, this is a point in our lives when voices of wisdom from all generations must be heard and considered. This is the point where we let go of what once felt sure, safe and comfortable, and embark on a fresh course. It is like we have just let go of a flying trapeze and are now reaching to grasp the next. 
Whether our leave-taking from the past is exhilarating or anxiety-provoking, sorrowful or determined, we are likely to encounter loneliness and fear of isolation. Obstructions are bound to rise up, especially familiar social systems everyone knows but cannot seem to successfully depart from in order to break into an encouraging and flourishing era. Discovering a new path forward is like learning to speak a foreign language. We likely will stumble over the spoken and unspoken subtleties and ways to clearly articulate and hopefully be understood. Yet, as we reflect on what we have learned these past months, perhaps we realize that we also
can
learn to speak a new language.
https://youtu.be/mjaqlLMPV8k
Our lives have flowed rather directly along paths laid out by our understanding of the world. However, from many years of life experience there comes realization that we have lived long enough to know that sometimes paths taken have made sense and at other times we needed to muster courage to discover a different way of being. Hearing outcries around the world, we may feel hopeless and wonder if we have the power to make a difference. The truth is that we are interconnected and need each other, and our precious planet also needs our care. More is asked of us during an Era of Awakening. How will we participate? What needs to change in order for us to see more clearly and to dream new dreams?
https://youtu.be/vO5kigRLIzY
Closed Path
I thought that my voyage had come to its end
At the last limit of my power,
That the path before me was closed,
That provisions were exhausted
And the time come to take shelter in a silent obscurity.
But I find that thy will knows no end in me.
And when old words die out on the tongue
New melodies break forth from the heart;
And where the old tracks are lost, 
New country is revealed with its wonders.
                        
Rabindranath Tagore 
Thoughtful Soul-Searching
: The “yellow brick road” has crumbled. How do we depart from the road of the past and gain passion to build a new road with a hopeful dawn on the horizon? It is mostly true that it was in our mid-years that we asked the potent questions, “Who am I? What am I here for?” We who remain standing are now possibly once again being called to do soul-searching and answer these questions from our current stance. Likely, as elders and sages, we will no doubt have surprisingly different answers than before, and ones that will positively affect the lives of our children, grandchildren and younger generations. 
Our answers may spark our own departure from our own “old story.” While we listen to stories of immense struggles and attempt to make sense of senseless situations, we may discover it is impossible to stay attached to our old personal ideals. We may find ourselves opening our hearts to new ways of seeing from new perspectives that may show evidence that old flawed ideals are indeed broken beyond repair. Flawed ideals may also include some or perhaps many old ideals about ourselves as well. 
Question:
What have I discovered the past three months that has shifted my personal beliefs?
Seeing With New Eyes:
Mark Nepo (drinking from the river of light, 2019) says,
What, then, does it mean to see? It is how we apprehend reality, how we take in life. An old English proverb says, “The eyes are the window to the soul.” The other side of this truth is that the soul is the window to the world.
One of our strongest distractions from the gift of vision is our insistence to see what we are hoping to see. Rather, consider beginning with deep reflection as to what the
soul of the world
is calling us to see. 
Georgia O’Keeffe says “To see takes time like to have a friend takes time.” If we were each painters on the canvas of an awakened era, how long might it take to complete the painting? What images would we want to unveil and portray when our painting was complete? While we want to see clearly the path ahead, thoughtful and prayerful reflection is central to our beginning. We see where we have come from and where we now are to clearly envision a different future.
Question: 
What would I paint on a canvas that would show ultimate healing for the world?
Stepping Forward:
 Regardless of whether we see clearly or have glimpses of clarity, no doubt our next step will actually be to
set out
on a new path. Perhaps it will be a new way of
being
in contributing to the kind of world we hope to live into. How we start—whether through our heart, our mind, by action, or a combination of all three—will be utterly personal. The one thing we can be sure of is that it will not be predictable. An idea comes. A door opens. We take a chance. We get involved—whether it is by a means such as meditation, helpful conversations, writing emails, letters or a book. We may choose to more consciously impart acts of kindness, respect, appreciation and compassion while remaining in our homes. For others, next steps may be
wisdom-in-action
in our communities, states and countries. Give voice to what matters. When we don’t talk about the things that are most important, we keep an Era of Awakening at bay. Allow your deepest concern, heartache, wish, and what you deeply care about be a gateway that takes you on a
heart path
.
Question: 
What is my deepest concern at this time and how might it become a gateway to my “heart path?” 
New Values in a New World:
A new way of life no doubt requires new values. We may wonder how our treasured beliefs of the past will now inform our future. Perhaps, completely dismantling values, personally and culturally, is required. And, there doesn’t seem to be an easy methodology to do this; government practices, doctrines nor formulas have been proven soundproof. The future calls for leading-edge forward thinking. We, as elders and sages, have valuable experiences, perspectives and ideas grounded in wisdom. Yet, we also are life-long learners, and are courageous to let go when and where advisable. We listen deeply to others in acquiring fresh perspectives and knowledge. We speak and act bravely from our hearts. 
As we consider new values, we again identify what truly matters to us, keeping our true compass in hand. We stay conscientious, and remain connected to what is essential. Integral in the process is upholding a whole-system, inclusive and passionate perspective of the interconnectedness of all life. These elements are at the heart of the matter. Herein lies renewed hope.
Question:
What novel idea can I act on that will help in creating a better world? 
As we seek a new life path forward with heartfelt passion, let us not underestimate the power of our collective wisdom. We all can take part in contributing to a bedrock for healing and renewal. Each thought, word and deed counts. As elders and sages, may we illuminate our lights honoring the wisdom in each of us, and the wisdom in all of us, as we embark on a path to sustain humanity and our beautiful Earth home.
Sage-ing International invites you to join an online Wisdom Circle as an opportunity for spiritual companioning. We will consider the potential for an Era of Awakening and elements perhaps to be discovered therein. We have previously gathered to support members during the COVID-19. This event will now become a monthly
Wisdom Circle
held the 4
th
Thursday of each month. The upcoming gathering will be: 
Thursday, June 25, 2020
4 pm ET/3pm CT/2pm MT/1pm PT via
Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 489 596 4735
Please come June 25 if you are interested in belonging to this monthly Wisdom Circle, which will continue on from July through December 2020 as a closed group. 
You are valued visionaries and wisdom-keepers in an Era of Awakening. As we take next steps on the helix of time, take exceptional care of your bodies, minds and spirits. May we be a safe harbor and refuge for one another. May we remain brave to embark on a promising path forward. 
As we carry on, we give you this gift
https://youtu.be/HjOioWTVAl4
and encourage you to share Carrie Newcomer’s song,
Sanctuary
, with your family and friends. Love each other right.
The Executive Circle of Sage-ing International
Marilyn Loy Every, Co-Chair
Jerome Kerner, Co-Chair
Nancy Gray-Hemstock, Secretary
Cindy Siemers, Treasurer
Katia Petersen, Member-at-Large
Note: 
Sage-ing International COVID-19 Resources:
https://www.sage-ing.org
Sage-ing International Education Updates:
https://www.sage-ing.org
Lockdown
By Brother Richard Hendrick, OFM
Ireland, March 13, 2020
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
Sage-ing International
|
www.sage-ing.org