From snipers to war, economic downturns to terrorism, environmental decay to extremes of weather, it can seem our world has never been as chaotic. Yet this chaos is not solely negative. New ideas, new insights, new technologies, new discoveries all challenge older ways of thinking and behaving and open up new doors of rich opportunities. But in the end, whether the reasons are positive or negative, few things seem stable anymore. The dogs of change have been let loose. Some people can run with the times, rejoicing in the changes and the uncertainty. But for many of us, the chaotic feel of our times takes an inner toll. We are impacted by the energies of the world around us and may well come away feeling we have stumbled into a wrestling bout with WWF superstar The Rock (aka The Scorpion King). What can we do? What inner resources may we draw upon to help both our world and ourselves at this crucial time? This workshop with spiritual philosopher and writer David Spangler explores a particular toolbox, called Incarnational Spirituality. Incarnational Spirituality is based on the idea that our innate spiritual power and co creative energy comes from the very fact of our being embodied rather than from transpersonal sources. The tools that this approach can offer will heighten our capacities to ground and empower ourselves, protect ourselves and create safety, and bring transformative and healing qualities into our world. The emphasis of our time together will be on discovering what enables each of us to ride the energies of chaos and transform them into possibilities and power.
David Spangler is a philosopher, writer, and educator, and teaches the integration of spiritual values and awareness into everyday life. From 1970 to 1973, he served as a co director and spokesperson for the Findhorn Foundation community in northern Scotland, recognized throughout the world for its visionary contribution to the transformational process. He has written and lectured widely, and his books include Revelation: The Birth of a New Age; Everyday Miracles: The Inner Art of Manifestation; Parent as Mystic, Mystic as Parent; Blessing: The Art and the Practice; and the forthcoming (February 2003) A Spirit in My Shoes: Tools for a Chaotic World. His workshops at Rowe have been a delight, and we welcome the return of this very kind, bright, and happy soul.