the Journey of Renewal Begins

We chose only once.

We choose either to be warriors or to be ordinary men.

A second choice does not exist.  Not on this earth.

Carlos Castaneda

Time and again, rising like the Phoenix from the ashes of my fate, I make contact with my destiny with Odin's Rune. A fresh beginning is at hand as the spirit warrior within is called to the ultimate challenge of relinquishing control. The Great Unknowable reminds me of its ever-presence and of my undiluted potential, both pregnant and empty at once. Both my worst fears and the unfolding of my fertile dreams await in the field of pure potentiality. Trust, as well as courage, is called for, along with willingness and a broad permission, as I leap empty-handed into the void. The path I seek is nothing less than that of karma - all that I am and have done and all that I will become. I keep a light step knowing that the debts of old karma shift and evolve as I so shift and evolve. There is nothing predestined and nothing that cannot be avoided. The challenge of self-change awaits as I drink from the universal well of creative power.

A journey of self-transformation beckons. A journey of the soul. A journey to unite that which is above with that which is below. My prayer of intention is: "I will to will Thy will." I ask the great teacher within for what constitutes right action, and for the courage to allow it to flow through me. I am patient, keeping within my limits, and will work to remove any resistance or obstructions. The journey aims for self healing, self-change, and union with All That Is. I pledge to heretofore regulate any excess in my life, cut away illusions, and trust my own process. I know I am alone at this point in the journey and must stand apart even from those who are like-minded, putting the utmost of trust in my own innermost feelings and spontaneity.

Only clarity matters now, refining my relationship to myself, for only then can I have correct relationships with others and the Divine. The Oracle's counsel is to always remain modest and be yielding, devoted, and moderate. Only then will I find direction in my journey. I shall be in the world but not of it, while remaining open and non-judgemental. I shall be ever vigilant and receptive to the communication of the Divine, both within and without. Grace comes from living an ordinary life in a non-ordinary way. I will not lose sight of what has been and what is coming as I focus on the moment at hand. This is a time of great change and rectification, essential to achieve before my soul progresses. It is not a time to seek credit for accomplishment or focus on results. It is a time to do the task for the sake of the task only. Ruuning and racing have been important contributions in my life, but I must approach them with more humility heretofore, using the marathon monks of Mount Hiei as my example. Forgetting the goal and remembering how to play is the secret to truly living in the present moment. The first counsel written over the gateway to the temple at Delphi was Know Thyself; the second phrase was Nothing in Excess. These are my maxims at this point on my journey.