Stone symbols: hematite, smoky quartz
Activities:
- Yoga,
- Nutrition,
- Massage,
- Medicine,
- Chiropractic,
- Exercise,
- Bio-rhythms,
- Self-adornment,
- Therapeutic touch
Stone symbol: Lapis Lazuli
Activities:
- Reading,
- Writing/journaling,
- Books,
- Psychology/talk-therapy,
- Music,
- Songs,
- The internet,
- Story-telling,
- School,
- Categorizing and tests,
- Chanting,
- Rational thinking, logic, words
- Chanting, breath-work, mantra-meditation
- Knowledge of propaganda
- Ability to question our beliefs and assumptions.
Stone symbols: eye agate, yellow tiger-eye
Activities:
- Art and creativity,
- Oratory,
- Poetry,
- Mandala-making,
- Color therapy,
- Candle-magic,
- Trying something new,
- “Feel the fear and do it anyway”,
- Alchemy,
- Visioning/guided meditation,
- Active imagination,
- Catharsis
Take the time to slow down and assimilate feelings, instead of rationalizing them. They have much to teach about self-preservation, and where our limits and fears are. Realize and note them, but don’t let them rule you – for we are much more than our fears (or even our pleasures…). Nurture ourselves so we can continue the journey of self-knowledge. Play! Follow the instinctual actions of animals and children at play. Flow with your own ups and downs – no blame…
Stone symbols: clear quartz crystal, pearl
Activities:
- Dream interpretation,
- Hydro-therapy,
- Swimming,
- Emotive therapy,
- Sleep/rest,
- Children/play,
- Animal observation/care,
- ‘Re-birthing’,
- Trance-work,
- Moon-magic, (for women: following menses – moon calendar),
- Canoeing/kayaking,
- Fishing,
- Bathing
Many ancient religions and practices point to the journey to the self, (substitute self for God/dess, Tao, Buddha, Christ, Philosopher’s stone, etc.)
Stone symbols: ammonite fossil, spiral shell
Activities:
- History,
- Biography,
- Philosophy,
- Shamanism,
- Ancient Religions,
- Astrology,
- Alchemy,
- Hero/Heroine stories,
- Grail stories,
- Carl Jung’s autobiography and writings,
- Symbolism,
- Buddhism,
- Lao Tzu,
- I Ching,
- Taoism,
- Jesus
One of our greatest gifts to our children is to pass on a culture that promotes the actualization of their potential. We must remember that our children are not just little copies of ourselves; they have their own unique journey to their Self. We can and should teach the ethics of right and wrong, right action, and the 3 R’s (reading, writing, and math). Also we have the responsibility to show them not only learning, but how to teach themselves to learn. We teach by example how to live by the rules of civil society, but encouraging our children to explore their own selves is also good. The Arts are key to help them have the courage to create and listen to their own muse. Listen to their dreams. Encourage them to find their own answers. Explore feelings, mind, body and spirit together. Let them put these all together for themselves. Show them the difference between knowledge embodied and lived vs. the theoretical knowledge obtained on the internet. Draw mandalas with them!
Stone symbols: fluorite, kunzite
Activities: see above…
- Waldorf and Montesorri schools/home school
- Find child’s talents,
- Encourage the Arts and self-expression (within safe boundaries),
- Psychological testing (not just for disease, but to bring to light the child’s own nature)
Share our own story of journey to the self. Combine all the other elements together and share in your own way. What have you learned to do and what not to do? What has helped you on this journey? What tools do you have to offer? What does a community of self-actualized beings look like?
The value of self-knowledge creates a community of honesty, openness, curiosity, wellness, acceptance of others, creativity, self-expression, passion for learning and a joyful sharing of each other’s journey to self. Realize that each are responsible for their own journey, but ok to reach out for help. Freedom, and sharing our freedom to Be Ourselves. Our inner journey should not impede others’ journey. Over time, we find our “ecological niche” of our self, with the other selves of the community. Wholeness within creates wholeness without – ever growing and ever changing – like a forest, (but uniquely Human). This community of journeyers to self necessitates a willingness to live with open-endedness – an acceptance of our and others’ mystery yet to be revealed… Seek joy in each others’ uniqueness, talents and beauty!
Stone symbols: geode, amethyst (purple)
Activities: see above
- Encourage each other to continue to seek their own self, (not just be the same as you).
- Explore,
- Play,
- Compare without judgment,
- Learn from each other and find the unexpected within,
- Hidden talents.