Symmetry

The other day my Love and I took my daughter to the Science Centre in Regina. Parts of it were good and other parts overwhelming in terms of bright colors, loud people and different smells. The part that I found most fascinating was the split mirror. You stand in front of it and the mirror shows you how you actually look to other people when they are looking at you. Many find that they can't relate to photos of themselves because they just don't look the same in the photo as they do in the mirror.

I was rather surprised to find that when I looked into the split mirror I did not look much different that I do when I look in a regular mirror. I seem to have a somewhat symmetrical face. Perhaps this is why my masks that are moulded from my face look so nice. I remember the first one I ever made. It dried over night and the next day I was shocked to find that this one was mine out of all the other masks made by the workshop participants. It had striking features and was what I would consider to be rather good looking. I never thought of myself in this fashion at all, so this was quite the breakthrough in self-image. Having a good look in the split mirror has explained to me why this attraction to my own mask was there. It is all a matter of symmetry. Now I can put my ego aside and know that I am an attractive man and not be filled with false humility. This has with it both the liberation and the responsibility that comes with being one of the "pretty people"; something I had never before thought of myself as being. Hopefully with that comes longevity and graceful aging! After all, "Youth is a gift and age is an art!"

Blessed Be

Trent
www.deerhornshamanic.com

Avoiding Sorrow

“The legs of a duck, although short, cannot be lengthened without hurting the duck. And the legs of a crane, although long, cannot be shortened without hurting the crane. So what is long by nature should not be shortened; what is short by nature should not be lengthened. All sorrow is thereby avoided.” Chuang-tzu

I find this quote interesting. First off, I think any insecure male should read it because it completely puts into perspective any penis envy he may or may not have. But this is not just useful for men. It is useful for anyone who has ever felt less than perfect just the way they are. We live in a culture of constant messages about how imperfect we are. The plastic surgery industry has made a killing on these insecurities. There is a time and a place for such things as plastic surgery. When we get into an accident that has left us disfigured, it is nice to have a plastic surgeon on hand. When I had a cyst growing on my back, it was nice to have someone who could remove it and not leave a huge scar. That someone, by the way, was extremely excited to find out that I am a shaman. He had been reading about folks like me for years. Although I was internally mortified about being referred to a plastic surgeon, I was then aware of the perfect alliance with the Universe as a result of this experience. When he asked me if I wanted to see what came out of my back I said “yes” and then upon seeing it said, “Oh, I know exactly who that is”. He asked who and I said it was the chip on my shoulder that I had been carrying regarding my father. He laughed and said he got that completely.

We need to spend time with ourselves to increase our self-awareness. This does not mean to become secluded in some mountain top temple away from the rest of humanity. Anyone can find peace this way. It is the exceptional person who can find peace in the middle of humanity, with all its flaws and beautiful imperfections. We need to let go of comparing ourselves to everyone else and everything else. This comparison only stresses us out and leaves us feeling empty inside instead of full and vibrant. I know for some this may sound weird, but every morning I look at myself naked in the mirror and tell my reflection how much I love him. He is now beginning to believe me. It has taken a very long time (45 years) but it was worth the time it took. I walk with my shoulders straighter and my chin up and feel alive again. This is a much better alternative to what was experienced before he began to believe me.

Blessed Be

Trent