I’m a Buddhist meditator, a Taoist philosopher, a Pagan priestess and a Sufi nobody, more interested in what we all have in common that in what divides us……spiritual but not religious. Politically I’m left wing but have problems with political parties and hierarchies in general. I’ve been involved in anti- war and anti-capitalist protests, from Greenham Common to the Occupy movement.
I’ve written a few books over the years. My latest is ‘Deep Equality – living in the flow of natural rhythm’. O-books. 2008. It’s about making links between political and social principles of equality and the balancing, equalising rhythms of nature, of which we are a part, not separate. It explores how we can dissolve our inner as well as outer hierarchies and live more freely. I have developed this into a spiritual path using practices such as equalising breathing, balancing rituals and attunement to inner and outer rhythms of change. I teach this path in an ongoing group at the Serpent Institute. http://www.serpentinstitute.com
I also work as a psychotherapist and paint pictures when I feel inspired, and as my own therapy.
I’m looking for like minded free spirits to connect with. I will be posting a blog at least once a month.
Good stuff Jocelyn.
After an Occupy pilgrimage from St. Paul’s to Canterbury Cathedral a few weeks ago there was a conference about theology, resistance, and economic justice. Some well-meaning chap repeated one of Marx’s short-sighted comments about freedom of religion still being slavery to religion.
I suggested that the belief in a central body capable of guiding an entire country was a leap of faith that made belief in the virgin birth seem positively conservative.
It is quite difficult to develop an authentic spirituality when there is an aggressive and reactionary priesthood. Unfortunately the Marxist priesthood is super-aggressive.
I write for the Occupied Times, and have to go in disguise with a silly hat to get any theology in there.
I like the hat though.
Keep up the good work!
Danny (AKA Rev. Nemu)
http://theoccupiedtimes.co.uk/?s=nemu
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Thanks for the comment. And I loved your posts on occupied times.Yes I agree that Marxiswm as it has been is indeed like a religion with some very aggressive priests. I recently read a book called ‘Magical Marxism’ by Andy Merrifield published by Pluto which loosened things up a bit. But it didn’t quite live up to its title for me, as I don’t think the author believes in anything spiritual, just the truly wonderful power of human imagination which is at least a start.
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Hi Jocelyn – I’ve just added your link to my blogroll. I’m glad you’ve joined the blogging community and hope your very relevant blog gets the attention and responses it deserves. By the way, you should add the comments option to your main blog page so that people can comment below each post you publish. That’s all my geeky advice!
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Thanks Natalie. I’m still learning about blogs but will take on board your suggestion.
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Hi Jocelyn – thanks for your post this month in April. A very important dialogue, which those of us straggling the two ‘sides’ are much in need of. I guess I am too used to keeping my mouth shut when in the presence of either unidimensional standpoint!
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Thanks for this Gill. So many people seem to stick to one ‘side’or another and can be so contemptuous of those of us who straggle both. Hopefully it’s time for us all to be speaking out now.
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well my first thought about the 2 snakes was this is the same as the staff of Hermes Trimigestus (? is that correct spelling ) known as the CADUCEUS ,WHICH I saw in a temple in Jordan dedicated to this concept of the god of healing I believe .
Anyway splendid reading foolishly as I began from the top which is your latest & i carried on that way though when it reached the bottom and then a link signalled click for MORE I went the correct chronological path afterwards .
Your evolution is awesome building up to your present FOCUS, yes definitely MORE PLEASE
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Thanks so much Joe for your encouragement.The snake seems to have been spiritually important in most human cultures. But yes the image in Jordan would have been related to healing especially. It’s even the symbol of our own BritishMedicalAssociation!
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it was this sentence of yours that confused me into thinking you had received criticism.
‘all animals are equal but some are more equal than others’ etc! It is indeed a very slippery and complicated little word, as I found when being foolish enough to write a book called ‘Deep Equality’.
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The trouble with most religions is that they are not about equality, creativity or expressing yourself let alone goodness, whatever that is, they are about conformity and domination. Although when you go to some of the medieval cathedrals, like Canterbury, they can be heart stopping.
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Thanks Jane for such a very apt comment. Years ago I couldn’t even step inside a church as I was too angry about the inequality. But now like you I often have really beautiful experiences in churches. The spiritual energy can be so powerful after years of worship. And many are built over pagan sites where there would have been thousands of years of devotion as well as ‘forces’ in the land.
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I shall know I have arrived here when someone owns up i made them laugh
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in any encounter both sides must leave each other EQUALLY REASSURED otherwise there will remain inequality of appreciation . or MISS understandings prevail and multiply .your auto guide is claiming I am invalid
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