“Each of us is put here in this time and this place to personally decide the future of humankind…You yourself are desperately needed to save the soul of this world. Did you think you were put here for something less? In a Sacred Hoop of Life, there is no beginning and no ending.”
~Chief Arvol Looking Horse [full statement here]
Chief Looking Horse is the chief of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people and he’s at the forefront of the Standing Rock resistance movement. His words echo the feelings and thoughts that have been building in my head for the last few months.
This way of thinking — that personal responsibility is essential — has huge philosophical implications. I’ve been a student of spiritual matters for most of my adult life. I’ve been a practicing Presbyterian, Mormon, Buddhist, Taoist, Shamanist and Wiccan. All of those faiths are beautiful in their own way. But once I had the realization that each of us responsible for the problems and errors — some might call them “sins” — of the world, I knew that my personal mythology had come full circle.
I have applied to enter an online theological seminary to become an ordained Christian priest and interfaith minister. If I’m accepted I should have my ordination in a year or so.
This won’t interfere or conflict with Cabal Fang — in fact it will only compliment it. Cabal Fang’s spirituality is non-denominational and Hermetic in nature, and is accessible to all the world’s faiths and non-faiths.
In addition, I have just completed paperwork to incorporate the Cabal Fang Temple, Inc. as a non-profit 501(c)(3). If you want to have a general idea what I’m envisioning for the future of the temple, check out this pamphlet describing what I’m aiming for.
I am done talking about changing the world, done hesitating, done doubting and done making excuses. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said,
“Let a man in a garret but burn with enough intensity and he will set fire to the world.”
All profits from the new Cabal Fang book go to the Cabal Fang Temple Fund. And now for the workout of the week.
Cabal Fang Workout of the Week #40
Heavy bag ziggurat for form and fitness. Set timer to beep every 30 seconds. Punch and/or kick heavy bag with perfect form for :30. Complete as many Burpees as you can for :30. Then strike the bag for 1:00 and do Burpees for :30, followed by 1:30/:30, 2:00/:30, and the back down again — 1:30/:30, 1:00/:30, :30/:30. Total = 10.5 minutes. Take as few 12-second breaks as you need to finish standing up. How good is your form when you’re exhausted?- Basic Contemplation. Set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes. Assume your chosen posture (I prefer seiza, but crossed legs, in a chair, yoga position are all fine as long as you pick a position and stick with it). Close eyes and regulate breathing. Don’t count, but it should take about 8 seconds to fill lungs, 8 seconds to empty them, and there should be about 4 seconds of hesitation when full and empty. Keep airways open throughout — don’t clamp down on your breath. Relax. Don’t make war with your thoughts, just allow them to slowly quiet and dissipate toward stillness, like ripples slowly calming on the surface of a pond, or soap bubbles gently popping in air. Practice daily and, in time, you’ll be able to quiet your mind during stressful moments. Eventually you may even an experience of unity with God, the One, or the Tao.
Robert Mitchell Jr. 