ShieldMaiden’s lengthy ‘comment’ on my previous short post - indeed what she calls a ‘letter’ - strikes me as requiring its own post, instead of the relative invisibility of a comment. She brings up her own version of ‘non-doing body movement’, which I find valuable in validating the absence of any prescribed ‘technique’, and in validating the power of unseen subtle forces to bring healing and revelation to us as soon as we slip out of the false guardianship of the mind. She also has her own version of Nature as guide, healer, teacher, friend.
None of these things did she ‘learn’ in societally conventional ways. And they have kept her healthy and sane - to the point of being able to hold bravely within her heart the immense sadness of destroyed ecosystems, of the repeated rape of the Great Lady Downstairs.
ShieldMaiden is one of those who invisibly to others - and probably to themselves too - are at the forefront of the new-old way of being Human. It may not resonate with many yet, but resonate it must, as it does with our subtle allies ‘out there’ and ‘in here’. I am as moved by her ‘letter’ as she says she was to ‘find’ me - for indeed, it has been lonely going for decades, following a small ‘something’ inside against the combined might of everything that kept us divided and fragmented internally.
Her concluding words about an affinity with ‘Russia’ also relate with that resonance… I refrain from saying anything more about this, for this post belongs to ShieldMaiden. I’ll simply assure you that I am working on the ‘Russia’ book, that it is a long hard march through tribulations and feats of which the indoctrinated west has no idea. It is becoming clear to me that the very ancient soul of ‘Russia’ concerns us all.
ShieldMaiden commented on your post Live with Beth Martens today/tomorrow, Podcast on Unbroken, and a tiny bit of poetry.
Dear Enna, I am typing this "letter" with dirty fingernails, by the way. It was very good to hear your voice and listen to your words in discussion with Beth. I sat, with a cat adamantly ensconced on my lap, and my rooster was listening at the door to your rooster! I enjoy hearing you as well as reading — there is much for me to absorb and ruminate over repeatedly — sometimes as great feasts, and sometimes selective and nibbles. From the “Krivda” dissection of historical manipulation to your experience with trees, cats, chickens, etc, to the refutation of Simulation Theory, to non-doing practice, it is all compelling. Even if/when I do not 'agree' with what I take in. One of the aspects of You, which drew me into your books and other writings, are your perspectives concerning nature. This is because my center and balance point has always been what ‘the Lady’ has to teach me in her expansive classroom. Often what I’ve learned (and continue learning) is in direct conflict with what I’ve been taught in human-designed classrooms, from family to actual Education. Without her, I would have been entirely adrift. Perhaps even insane. With regard to non-doing movement, you wrote: “It is an experiential teaching by the body”, and this describes very well how it comes to me. I have been (re)discovering non-purpose movement since 2017, when it simply ‘happened’ as I was lying in bed. Reading “Broody Blue” in 2023 led me to a huge ‘Aha moment’ because, in spite of searching, I had not encountered any acknowledgment of such a thing, much less a description. At least not in English, and unfortunately I only understand English. Every so often my body takes my welcoming invitation to do an intensive session. No doubt, this need arises due to ongoing internalization of external stressors that have resulted in getting me literally into ‘knots’. But in the past six months I now observe ‘micro-doses’ (seconds to minutes) throughout my days and nights. It is powerful, and (still) seems to me to come from somewhere else other than what I normally think of as “I/Me”. The micro-sessions are simply short pauses in daily activity in which I open myself to the direction of my body. This may result in an entire body shake — like a dog shaking water off of its fur — from neck to buttocks. Or a full-body stretch like a cat. Sometimes my hips tell me that they need something extra — perhaps Polynesian-style gyrations for half a minute, or some odd manipulation or way of standing and moving. I write “odd” because I would never, mentally, concoct/construct such a ‘doing’. Yet, it is perfectly natural. Or my shoulders implement a series of up-down-back-forth-around rotations. I am endlessly amused and amazed. An intensive session begins with utter stillness, lying down or sitting, with no mental focus. Sometimes it is like what I understand Reiki to be (though I’ve never practiced reiki). My hands seem to be the ‘doorway’ to the rest of the body. I gently apply the touch of my right hand to my left hand (with varying pressures and with varying methods) — to fingers, webbing, muscle, tendons in a sort of dreamy state of exploration. This stimulates response in various other parts or areas of my entire body including neck, shoulders, back, knees, toes etc, etc. All the needy parts step up for attention. This is done completely mind-less-ly, without any mental direction or specific order. Intense and energetic stretching/releases (often with ‘popping’) ensue in areas that need it. I feel amazing stretches where energy is pushing through a block. My mind never knows how long to keep it up, but my body does! When the energy is at its zenith it requires a deep inhalation…holding…and then the release with the exhale.. Sometimes there comes rhythmic rocking and/or twisting of torso or hips, head, etc, of varying speed and degree. Often there is a need to flap my arms (like a bird releasing tension) and ‘fling’ my fingers, as if shedding water. Again, I am not ‘deciding’ anything…it just ‘happens’. If another human should observe me during these sessions I must appear to be almost spasmodic at times. But it certainly doesn’t feel like any sort of ‘spasm’. It feels like liberation…the ultimate body therapy. A session can be 30+ minutes. But within that time there are multiple pauses. The movement pauses after a significant ‘release’ which leaves me feeling entirely drained — ooof! The body goes limp. With this ‘ooof’ comes wave of peaceful relaxation. Shortly thereafter comes a sense of revitalization. ‘I’ continue…with the session until my body tells me ‘all done for now.’ I am in my 66th year in this life, and I feel stronger and more flexible than ever; previously ‘chronic’ aches and pains (which allopaths define as “normal aging”) are decreasing and even disappearing. Although this simply ‘happened’ to me one night, I am endlessly grateful that I ‘found’ you, my sister, and was gifted with the sense of shared experience which has been sadly absent in my life! There is much grief where I live. 24 years ago I moved with my (late) husband to a temperate ‘jungle’ in far-north California to revel in the diversity of nature. But now 100s of thousands of acres of beloved forests have been incinerated. The Klamath River (I dubbed her “Lady Longwater”), beside which I dwell, has been a great source of energy and life for me. But this year it has been turned into a deadly sewer of toxin-laden sediment by the rapid removal of four dams. How long it will take to ‘recover’ I do not know. It may be generations. The controlling agents would have the world believe this is to “save the salmon”, and yet all aquatic life has been destroyed — crayfish, mussels, aquatic mammals, microorganisms, AND the native salmon and trout. The carnivorous water birds have fled; there is nothing to feed upon. This feels and appears like a ‘war zone’. But the losses and the pains — personal and environmental — do open other ‘doors’…to appreciation and joy. It may be just a crack in the door. I find increasing connection with the mother and her powers in every leaf and insect. Every bit of wisdom I have received (which is infinitesimal) has come to me through natural beings and through Nature herself. I sit with her, condole with her with regard to received insults, assaults, injuries, human disregard and animosity. I also celebrate with her the beauty and magic of this living process. So it is especially joyful to me (as another ‘apprentice’) to have met with you, who seems to feel in the same manner, and who has important information to gift to me. In conclusion, I very much look forward to your revelations concerning Russia. I have experienced much connection to Russia, in spite of American programming. Even studied Russian in high school. The music, literature, and a strange affinity to the steppes are with me. I sense deep, ineffable, passion in the people. I would very much like to comprehend more...about 'why' I might feel this.... With attention, appreciation and affection.
Wow Shieldmaiden, that was some comment of profound proportions. All of it resonates in the deepest recess of my body and soul, and while my mind cries over the destruction of ‘Lady Longwater’ - beautiful description that immediately formed mental pictures of lazy life in its bountiful bliss - I can feel my body adjusting to her needs for compassionate feelings that flow between me, and all I focus upon. Maybe, just perhaps, quite possibly, even inevitably, we are all adjusting to a remembered and far, far older version of ourselves, when simply in dwelling upon a thing, a place, a river, immediately weaves a magic that is to date indescribable in our programmed ignorance, but which of all the people I’ve ever encountered, Enna is a rich holder of its wisdom.
When I ponder on the vast industry of human exercise and well being through Yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi, Gym training, etc, etc, I smile, nay laugh at the ease with which the art and practice of non-doing is free, easy, can be done anywhere, anytime (accepting the mad comments from those around), anyhow without manuals, trainers, or expensive online courses, I laugh out loud at my/our gullibility.
I am reading one of many books written by Dr Vernon Coleman, ‘Bodypower’ and in it he describes the absolute brilliance of our human adaptivity that far outweighs anything a computer can perform... or drugs can mend, ha, ha as if they ever could. In this same vein, Enna’s brilliant book ‘Broody Blue’ describes an innate bodily wisdom that works wonders on and around everything human. It’s a thing that cannot be patented, co-opted by big pharma, big Physio, big anything, and consequently is ignored by the control systems that need for their very survival, a steady stream of dependent humans seeking to be ‘fixed’. Can you imagine in your nearest town a main street clinic named, Non Do Clinic. I don’t think it’ll take off and how the heck would one strata a fee rate. I just got a fit of the giggles… chuckle, chuckle, oh, humble sistars.
So, in a nut, (been labelled that plenty in the recent past) your words are manna to mine ears. Enna’s words too.
As for Russia, I hear yah; I could not fathom why I was so automatically indoctrinated in my military past to hate a country, and it’s peoples with such vehemence, and yet with not an ounce, nor a scintilla’s shreds worth of personal evidence for such a hatred. I worked on the frontline - so to speak - in the Cold War years, and would actively urge my subordinate females to take up weapons training (back then optional for women). The woman I am now, bears zero resemblance to that programmed one of forty years ago. When I recall a pal telling me this past week, that the word ‘woman’ has just been banned in a well known institution, you gotta laugh at such last ditch death throes.
Scenery gets louder… we get quieter.
Go well, humble all.
Loved reading this and the connection that will ensue between you all. You’re never alone - your tribe will find you always x