Traveling the 'High Road'

Imagine a tall, rugged mountain surrounded by a well paved ring road.  Most people choose to travel on this road as it is familiar, straight forward and paved.  This road is clearly marked, well documented and the destinations are clear.  It is not an easy road to travel on as it is riddled with pot holes, traps, thugs and highwayman.  Violence is what governs this ring road and most people accept those terms and conditions.

Along the road, some people are starting to see paths that zigzag up the mountain.  These paths are rough, rugged, long and challenging.  Where the paths leads can only be determined by traveling the path.  It is a hard climb, lonely and long.  It seems like the path does not make any progress up the mountain because it keeps zigzagging back and forth along the face of the mountain, making little progress along the way.  Natural Law governs this path and peace, freedom, forgiveness and love are primary tenants of this journey. 

Public Domain

So what happens when somebody from the ring road tries to pull us off the path?

That is the question of the day.  Whether it is out of jealousy, anger, pain, suffering or what ever their reason, it seems that their journey would feel better if everyone was on the ring road with them.  I work hard to not get pulled down to their level.  I worked hard to climb this mountain and I'm going to keep going despite their attempts to drag me down.  But resorting to name calling, violence or other ring road circus antics just means that would abandon my path resulting in me coming crashing down the face of the mountain.  

The good news is that if they want to join me, they are more than welcome.  I'm more than willing to throw a rope down and help them climb directly up the mountain to where I am at.  I've found with my work with the tribe that what took me 2 decades to accomplish now only takes months for others.  When the divine masculine and feminine work together, miracles really do happen.  The amazing part is that my journey has influenced others in ways I NEVER contemplated.  Here is a post I received a couple days ago from a friend I've not seen in years.  

rob, you have been an incredible inspiration to me over the years. Though it has been a long long time since we have spoken or seen each other, I still base many of my decisions on your teachings.  This is saying a lot, being an officer of the government.  It has been my mission to be known for the good I do, not the opposite.  Of course I ensure what I am put in charge of keeps people safe.  It is a hard line to walk, and has caused a lot of inner conflict.  Things have leveled out a great deal, and I find myself at odds with my superiors (using that word very loosely).  I find myself more and more being an advocate for the people I serve, when more and more powers are being given me and my group.  I credit much of this to you and your talk of what constitutes violence.  When given the choice, I will use the carrot every time!  It has been my honor to know you, my friend!  <3"  - Clark Redden

I believe that Clark is a safety code inspector for the provincial government and I have no doubt that he is changing the government from within which takes a lot of courage, strength, integrity and spiritual fortitude.  This is not the first individual within the government to say words like this to me.  I wrote a post last year about our dance with Child Protective Services and how the social worker invited us into a meeting and cried for an hour because our path reminded her of why she got into social work to begin with.  

Yet another 'ah ha' moment for me

This past week has been one of the toughest.  I'm exhausted from all the emotional work that I went through, much of which I shared on my blog already.  But Clark's message to me finally clued me into another fundamental lesson.    

For years I felt unworthy and as a result, when ever people shared their thoughts, feelings and inspiration about me or my work, I would dismiss it or find a way to diminish what they were sharing.  There are a lot of bigger names out there, why me?

But why not me?  That is when I realized that the word that I'm doing has no governing authority other than Creator.  Love, peace, non-violence, etc does not have a place on this planet as the masters of the Martial Arts (The Art of War) currently govern.  As a student of the Martial Arts, I received recognition for my proficiency by receiving certificates and a black belt to acknowledge that I obtained the third level (3rd Dan / Degree) within their system.  An authority granted me the rights and privileges of holding that level within their arena.  

But within the Pacem Arts (Art of Peace), no such authoritative hierarchy exists.  I've studied the Pacem Arts for nearly 20 years and I even coined the term 'Pacem Arts'.  The fact that nobody has used that term before goes to show just how disconnected we are from the Art of Peace.  So where do I get the authority to call myself a master of this art form?  That question is the root of sovereignty.  Sovereignty is ALL about self authority and self governance.  

I decided that I will acknowledge 20 years of dedication to an art form that is desperately needed on this planet.  I am a master communicator, especially when it comes to translating spiritual issues into words and concepts that other people can comprehend.  If anybody on this planet dedicated their lives to an art form, the governing bodies would acknowledge that those individuals have obtained mastery of their art.  It does not mean that they don't make mistakes or that there is still more to learn.  But it does mean that I am more than qualified to speak and teach on the subject matter.  

Most importantly, it has helped me come to terms with what other people say about my work.  I've been told by a friend that I am the most peaceful man they know.  People all over the world find inspiration in what I do, say and teach.  People have changed their lives, inspired by my work and willingness to share.  I've influenced multiple agencies within the government, within a construct that is dedicated to the Martial Arts.  I did that without firing a single shot or engaging in techniques that constitute violence or war.

By throwing down life lines to those who are stuck on the war path (ring road), we can start helping them leave that path and follow a new one.  By walking the high road we inspire others to consider doing the same.  By acknowledging my own contributions, strengths, skills, talents and abilities, I've found a renewed sense of purpose, drive and authority to do this work.  I'll let history judge my efforts, but for now I am not in a position to self flog myself.  

Creator granted me permission to be here for a specific reason.  By not embracing that mission I dishonour myself and Creator.  In a way, my authority to do this work comes direct from Creator and is supported through the encouragement of others who resonate with that work.  I don't need some external authority to issue me a piece of paper, granting me special rights or privileges.  To do so would be to surrender my own sovereignty to somebody else.  

I stand here on this rugged path, doing my best to see where it goes.  It is not easy as it requires a lot of work.  But if others are willing to do the work, I promise the rewards are worth more than any earthly treasure ever could be.  

Join me as students of the Pacem Arts.  I will do my best to remain in honour while we learn how to do this together.  As a closing thought, who do you think made these zigzagging paths up the mountain?  Could it be that there are Pacem Arts Masters that have come and gone long before any of us showed up?  Is it possible that they made these paths for us to follow?  We are not supposed to be on the ring road praising and worshiping those who made these paths.  We are supposed to get off the ring road and walk the path.  I'll say this:

"The view from up here is spectacular, please join me!!!  - White Walking Feather