Living Gold

Dear Friends,

Incredibly, it has been almost 8 years since our Living Gold conference here in Vancouver. How the time has flown! I sometimes wonder where it has gone, but then look at my granddaughter, now 7, and then I know. For me, this event stands out as the most golden moment in my life.

One of the biggest events was the presentation of the play, the Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily. One line in particular has been in my mind lately: What is more precious than gold? Answer – Conversation.

How true this is today. One would like to think that many of the problems facing the world today could be solved through the simple act of coming together and engaging in open dialogue, exchanging points of view, and coming to a mutual understanding.

As almost the entire world hit the pause button for a few weeks or months, many problems that had been simmering on the back burner, so to speak, have now exploded under this pressure cooker.

For those who may be somewhat familiar with chemistry and geology, these are natural occurrences as well. A volcanic explosion, while chaotic, eventually produces fertile land, ideal for growing crops.

The production of gold, in fact, involves a process called smelting. Through the process of exposing the raw ore to very high heat, the pure gold is separated from the dross, or impurities.

I look and watch young children at play today and I have hope for the future. How easily they come together and naturally be willing to share, or work together on a small art project. There is a generosity of spirit, a brief camaraderie caught up in the process of creating. Instant friendships are made. One may conjecture that this is possible because children tend to live in the moment. The past is forgotten, and there is no concern for the future. It tends to be the opposite for adults. We find it hard to let go of the past and worry about the future, to the point where we forget how to live for today.

When we settle down for the night, we can give up what happened during the day. When we turn our thoughts to loved ones who have crossed over the threshold, we give them nourishment. During the process of sleep, the spiritual world sends us strength for the new day. It is a process of giving and receiving. Through co-creation, we can work together for the future.

Something new and good is in the process of bursting in, like a picture of an exploding volcano, or perhaps a newborn baby. We have the opportunity to grasp it and work with it, for our future generations.

                                                                Ash, water and salt

                                                                A baptism by fire

                                                                The Light is kindled.

Sparky