Jules Weston / Valuing the source

Met a woman yesterday who asked the normal question “but what do you do on these workshops?” 
 I explained one of the things we did was a solo dawn till dusk experience outside in “wilderness”
 She would probably have looked less shocked if I had said that we trapezed naked through the streets of Edinburgh.
 But that’s’ such luxury! She claimed
 Well it’s a day I said.  One day.  We also did a shorter solo of a few hours this weekend
 ”Alone?”
 Yes

 ”Ah you could just take a book and read,” she said, clearly relieved as she recognised that activity as “getting away from it all”. 

 Well you could, but that’s not what people tend to do.  To allow something really different to happen people tend to de-tech completely and leave behind what would be distractions like books, phones, cameras etc and only take a journal to write in.  Actually a lot of people choose to fast as well.

 There was a visible struggle in comprehension and a short silence.

 ”Well it’s just like a walk then”.

 Actually we stay in a small area like 10 metres square so that we don’t turn the solo into a physical activity.  It’s not about climbing mountains, traversing, challenging, travelling, “getting there” or “having it all”.

 

It’s about letting the quiet voice speak up and listening to what it says.  It’s a journey inside.   

 

That is probably THE most important journey any of us as a human being can, or will, ever make.  It is the SOURCE of all our externalised actions, journeys, relationships, behaviours, careers and activism.  We need to take care of the source.

 

So how?

 

On a personal level I think it’s about acknowledging and valuing the source.  About finding the place where our gladness and the world’s hunger meet, trying to help, live and work with others authentically.  And really, really trying not to do it alone or feeling alone in this process…community.  Finding a place to share in a community.

 

On a Meta level it’s about creating real Values within structures.  If we as a society don’t first value the mental and spiritual health and well being of ourselves/our people/our communities how will we value the health and well being of other living things/systems - or vice versa?  

 Some folk have said this project is a bit touchy feely - I think that speaks volumes about what is “acceptable” today in our society.  In my mind, if we don’t attend to a wound it only goes septic - and spreads infection.  Is attending to the wound touchy feely?

The woman also asked “but what do they get out of doing this?” in a deeply puzzled way

 

Read the blogs I said.

 

 

Many thanks to “the woman” for inspiring this blog and no offence intended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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There are 2 comments on Valuing the source:

  1. Ally Hunter:

    I think you have hit the nail on the head here Jules about listening to the quiet voice - My quiet voice always leads me away from all of my external word, helps me maintain a healthy balance between the two and consider what is really important.

    November 28th, 2008 at 11:53 am
  2. Rachel Ormrod:

    Jules

    I’m not a blog techie, so this puts me way out of my comfort zone, but I just wanted to say that I, for one, most certainly am reading your blogs and those of the others as well. I’ve forwarded your website too to friends who are also reading and appreciating the work you are all doing. Please, please, please don’t stop.

    I’m not usually shy in coming forward, but it does feel rather daunting to leave a comment. I fear I’m intruding on, or possibly risking devaluing, the amazing experiences & thinking the group is having and is so articulately sharing with the rest of us. It feels like ‘Who am I to intrude on this highly intelligent and at times, spiritual, dialogue; what credentials do I have to join in?’

    Having said that, I do feel a tremendous bond with Nature, and always have. The great outdoors is currently holding and healing me through a major transition in my life, as I move from being married, through divorce, to being single again.

    I so value what you are doing, and just wanted to give you some insight into why I’m not madly or o date even occasionally posting comments. It feels daunting to join in such a erudite musings.

    I’m just back from Switzerland where I had a week’s walking in the mountains. I feel so blessed to be able to appreciate Nature writ large and raw.

    Good luck with this project, I think it’s truly amazing.

    Love & hugs
    Rachel

    November 30th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

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