How things change…

Well as the saying goes, "There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip".

There we were all excited and shiny about the prospect of going to see Serge Kahili King at his last workshop to be given in Europe.

Then we had a bit of a glitch.

In Shamanic teaching there is an awful lot about the challenges and tasks that the Shaman is given in life.

One of these challenges is to move forward through difficult times.

There are many of these for everyone at this time…perhaps it is the Universe giving us a heads up as to how we should perceive our stewardship of ourselves, our families, our friends and neighbours and the Earth that sustains all this, who knows?

This entry is not really about generalisations, this is about part of our challenge.

During the planning and determined 'we shall go to the workshop come hell or high watering's' there was something that we chose to not take into account.

What the Universe had in store for us.

For me it was the diagnosis of cancer of the uterus and for Andrew it was helping me and him to deal with that and all the other real life intrusions of recession and his own depression and stress.

We had to write to the organisers of the event and explained the situation and they were truly kind about the whole thing and in typical fashion of the Shamanic community offered their thoughts and prayers for us both.

One night shortly afterwards I had a dream (as one does). It was a bit flighty at first and there were references to the James Bond film he did in Japan; which my, oh my I am realising a connection now that I write this and why the scene was there. The film was of course 'You only live twice'. Then of course there is the lyric of the song…'one life for yourself and one for your dreams.'

Back to the dream then….

In a car with Mr Connery and the Japanese agent 'Tiger' travelling at speed, Andrew and I agog at where we were, but listening intently to the conversation, which was in Japanese? I remember being struck by the fact that 'Tiger' was in full Japanese traditional dress, and very striking it was too.

The car journey ended as we skewed to a stop by a dock where there was moored a large 'Chinese Junk' type boat, (very cross cultural but hey it is a dream and anything is possible).

We tumbled out of the car and followed 007 and Tiger onto the boat. There were others there and no sooner had we boarded than the two agents went to the back of the vessel, Tiger removed his Katana sword and struck it into the frame of the boat and proceeded to jump off! Without as much as a questioning glance everyone else followed suit.

Well, in for a penny and all that - we jumped too.

One would expect a splash at least and lots of noise but not a drip, not a whisper.

We slipped into silken water so sheer that the softest white sand below shone in the light of a rising full moon. The water was just deep enough and just warm enough for us to lie comfortably on our backs immersed to our chins. I could hear and feel the lapping of the wavelets against my body and the shore line just beyond my head.

We lay there watching the deepest blue violet sky change to azure, orange and red ribbons of light dancing reflections in the waves from the sun as it sank slowly into the sea giving up its fire to the now risen moon.

We became aware of a figure behind us and as one we turned to see a girl her grass skirt swaying as the light breeze of dusk played over it and the water making her a part of the waves as they danced their own way to the place between land and sea where she was the connection. We rose one by one and saw that she was honouring the sea and the Sun and the Moon, hands held together to form a cup, in front of her raised to the sky, then palms brought together down to her heart.

We all followed her lead and when done with our thanks we left without saying a word.

I awoke in the dawn and I felt a wonderful peace around me and within me. I felt a great healing energy and I know that one day I will go there with Andrew and we will lie in that water and we will be being thankful.

I wrote to the organiser of the workshop and told him of the dream, we both remarked at the simplicity and wonder of it coming at this time.

Read more about our journey with cancer on Andrew's blog

http://purpleandrew.wordpress.com

and to donate to Macmillan cancer support

http://www.justgiving.com/Andrews-close-shave-for-Leslie

So, there I am going through the emails and I find this one that somehow got lost in the scrummage. It's from our lovely Sarah (Sarah Howcroft Shamanism-Wales) our Celebrant Supreme.

Anyways, she has sent information on a workshop that will take place in London in May. I'm perusing calmly until I see who the workshop is going to be run by...

None other than the Urban Shaman himself, Serge Kahili King.

Now I'm having one of those Universe type Duh! moments.

Inside my brain there are various pieces of jigsaw clicking into place. Do you have those moments, of course you do it's like when Vincent D'onofrio gets it in Criminal Intent or when you realise you have suddenly made the connection that makes everything else make sense.

The Greek guy had one once, went about hurling the word Eurika about.  Got it? Yes right that one.

All the time I'm thinking to myself, how can we do this? Can we do this? We can do this...

It's all got to do with NLP strangely, or not so strangely really, not if you are into the wonderous connectivity of the Universe.

About 5 years ago, at least that long... I was sitting in a room with Jane, (NLP trainer extraordinaire) and she mentioned something about Huna Shamanism which of course made me prick up my ears and pay attention with all my faculties!

She talked about this guy Serge Kahili King and how Huna ( the Hawaiian Shamanic way of life) was about being connected to the Universe in such a way that they had been known for the Kahuna (yes it really is a title as in the Big Kahuna) of the islands to get together and change the course of Tornado's away from the islands.

It is a recorded phenomenon I am assured. But more importantly I can see how it could be true. That is why I'm off to see the Wizard and I'm going to learn about the Universe and how to be connected.

NLP, Forensic Evidence of Language Patterns

Any self-respecting crime scene boffin can tell you about evidence, evidence is the clue; the stuff that leads to the motive and modus operandi of the criminal mind.

Not only does physical evidence reveal a crime, the spoken word is also a great giver of clues.

Let's face it, the language patterns of our clients are very telling, and NLP is the box full of magic equipment to uncover the clues left behind and bring to light the perpetrators dastardly deeds.

For all of the, less than totally positive states our client present to us, there's a requisite and profound solution.

The difference between our 's.o.c.o' counterparts and us is that the scene of crime comes to our doorstep looking for the NLP practitioner to solve the crime and like a super hero - make their world a better place for the future. How do we do that?

Beginning at the end: by knowing our outcome and defining it in advance we are more likely to achieve what we've set out to do.

Taking action, neuro linguistic programming is not a spectator sport, without action there can be no result.

Using sensory acuity, what do you see? What do your senses tell you? Use the information wisely.

Having behavioural flexibility, compound this with the sensory acuity to achieve success. Super hero crime fighters are always willing to do whatever it takes.

A totally resourceful state is a must! Physiology and psychology of excellence will empower you.

Using these principals, particularly the first three, the Three Pillars of NLP results in a resounding 'case closed'.