I was just recalling a conversation I had with my dear friend and mentor, Bobcat, during my visit to England this past winter. I was thanking her for all that she had taught me. She asked what exactly she did teach me that I didn’t already know. I responded with telling her that her teachings on Druidry put a lot of things together for me. But most importantly, the key defining element of Druidry, was something I hadn’t found in my other spiritual pursuits. It was something I think other religions hint at but never really spell out and teach one how to attain. That thing is actively finding inspiration, Awen.
What I learned from her was that Inspiration isn’t just an impassive thing that just happens upon us. It isn’t just a state of grace where we are blessed. It can be actively achieved, consciously, when we need it.
Inspiration comes from actively negotiating the currents of deep relationship – soul touching soul. This teaching moves one out of feeling at the mercy of life, victimized, downtrodden, defeated. Every moment of every day is an opportunity to pursue soul level relationship. Whether or not we do this is our own decision. We can find inspiration anywhere, anytime. It is a matter of choosing to engage with other souls in a sacred manner. That receiving inspiration is something we achieve consciously through our own negotiation of relationship isn’t completely unique to Druidry. But teaching one how, is something I haven’t found elsewhere.
Yes, soul deep relationship (sacred relationship) takes knowledge and awareness. It is difficult to do in a crisis situation. Our engaging this deeply doesn’t mean it will attract an equal response. The relationship may not be a gentle one. Learning to maintain a sense of groundedness, a sense of self in the face of soul bare relating takes time. It is life-long process of learning through trial and error. Relationship on this level can be incredibly challenging as we work through all the layers and scars of our own woundings. It takes a lot of courage. It takes deep honesty.
These are simple truths and challenges. There are no shortcuts. For me, Druid craft is all about learning how to do this, how to find the courage, awareness and commitment to seek inspiration when life is a drag. It boils down to two choices: disengage and have a mundane life burdened with a sense of defeat, or to engage fully, looking straight in the mirror, dealing with all of our issues and insecurities, finding the courage to open our soul to life and the souls we encounter along the way.
Living life this way isn’t clean. It isn’t “safe”. But a safe sanitized life isn’t going to feed us. We need inspiration to live. And whether or not we have the inspiration we all desperately need and desire, is completely and utterly up to us. It is a sticky process. We will feel pain. But the reward is the energy of life itself flowing through us. And that is worth it all.
I recently returned from a wondrous trip to Ireland. During the trip my wife and I visited the Burren. The Poulnabrone Dolmen located there is around 6000 years old, predating the great pyramids by 2000 years! This portal tomb was in use by the local tribes for more than 2000 years. Amazing to see such continuity, such magic.
The Animist Druid 