We Are Not It

We are that with which we identify. If we can observe something, it means we are not that which is being observed.

This ability to observe is a key skill for fostering our own development. In the previous posting I speak of the hero's journey. In that posting I issue the invitation to don our armor and weapons as we answer the call to adventure. One of the ways we can defend ourselves and slay the dragons we confront on our inner journey is to identify with our soul--the inner witness or observer. As we uncover aspects of ourselves that we may find troubling, we are to remember that if we are able to observe those things within us it indicates that we are not those characteristics. The thoughts or emotions we uncover may be within us, but the fact that we are able to look at them means they are not us.

The ability to detach and observe frees us from being controlled by that which we are observing. By separating ourselves from that which is being observed, we are then in a position to consciously decide whether or not to act on our emotions or thoughts. They no longer control us. We are now in control. This expansion of consciousness is a crucial aspect of our spiritual development. The ultimate goal of our development is to identify with Spirit--the ground of all being. It is then that we discover who we really are.

Becoming A Leader

To become a leader requires self-examination. We must explore who we are. Self-exploration can be disturbing. Aspects of ourselves will emerge that we may prefer not look at. As we journey inward, it can be helpful to keep in mind the metaphor of the hero’s journey.

I speak of the hero’s journey in my posting of March 5, 2006. The hero’s journey begins with separation from the familiar. The process of self-development moves us beyond the known and comfortable. There is no growth without conflict; that conflict may be experienced outwardly or within us. As we change, other people may become upset. We no longer fit their images or expectations of us. Inwardly we may experience tension and anxiety as new aspects of ourselves emerge. Our old identities are challenged. We begin to view ourselves as being different than we were before. This is both exciting and frightening. The process of development moves us beyond our comfort zone. If we are comfortable, we are not growing.

To separate from the familiar, the hero must accept the call to adventure. On this adventure the hero is confronted with obstacles and challenges. There are dangers to be faced. The challenges may come from without or from within. The most fearsome obstacles are generated from within. The hero confronts the inner demons and dragons. These monsters represent our dark side, our shadow. This consists of our fears and weaknesses.

But the hero is not alone on this adventure. Along the way there are guides and mentors. And by confronting and slaying the dragons, the hero discovers new abilities and powers. It is then the responsibility of the hero to return to the community to use these new skills and powers in service of that community.

Not everyone has the courage and determination to answer the call to adventure. That is why not everyone accepts their role to lead. We can choose to simply skim the surface of self-exploration, or we can dive deep and shine the light of self-reflection to penetrate the inner darkness. We mustn’t dive too deep too quickly, however. Patience is necessary. This is a lifelong process. We are to go only as deep as we can handle. We are not to overwhelm ourselves.

We also are to remember that we are not alone. We each may be on separate paths but we are in the same forest. We are within earshot of each other. We need to call out for support when needed.

The goal of the journey is to discern our calling and develop the power we need to fulfill that call. James Autry in his book Life & Work summarizes best the endpoint of the hero’s journey:

Find your people.
Find your place.
Tell your story.
Listen.

I will share again the questions that can help us discover these four points that Autry describes as important in life and work.

Find your people:
· Who is your community?
· Who are the people you are called to serve?
· Who is in need of what you have to offer?

Find your place:
· What is your role within your community?
· How do you fit into the larger whole?

Tell your story:
· What is the message you bring to your community?
· What is the gift you have to offer your people?
· How can you best share that gift?

Listen:
· What is the response to your message?
· Are you having the impact you intended?
· How are your people’s needs changing?
· How must you grow so that you may continue to serve your community?

Becoming a leader is a process that requires time and effort. That process involves answering the above questions. The answers do not come quickly or easily. So let us don our armor, take up our swords and shields, mount our trusty steeds, and venture forth on an exciting journey to discover the leaders we are as we answer the call to adventure—the adventure called life.

Thoughtful Leadership

Effective leadership requires leaders and followers to think. We all have thoughts. Typically those thoughts are merely random chatter cluttering our minds. Thinking requires a focus.

We focus on that which interests us. That interest forms the focal point of our thinking. It is the center around which we organize the input of information. Each piece of new information is like a piece of a larger puzzle. By finding where the new piece fits with past knowledge and experience, we add to our understanding. As more pieces of the puzzle fit together, a new and larger picture emerges. When enough pieces have come together, an entirely different perspective may arise. What we once thought becomes transformed. We experience a different reality. Our consciousness expands and we thereby have a new experience of ourselves, others, and the world around us.

To develop our thinking, we need a focal point around which to organize new inputs. To create that central focus we need to discover our passion; that which fires our enthusiasm and energy.

The word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek word meaning “having the god within.” Enthusiasm is generated from discerning our call. Our call is generated by discovering our mission, vision, and values. Once we understand who we are and who we want to become, we can then decide what we need to do to achieve what we are called to create. Our pursuits then have meaning within a larger context.

When we have a central organizing focus for our lives, we can then assess and integrate the information and experiences we input. Leaders who are clear about what is important to them are more likely to be able to communicate their messages clearly and generate enthusiasm. Followers clear about their priorities are better able to assess the relevance of a leader’s message to the needs of the followers. When leaders and followers share the same focus, they are more likely to be able to influence the context in which they operate.

The quality of our thinking influences the quality of our actions, which determines the quality of our results. Effective leadership begins with effective thinking. What do you think?