Conscious Men DO Exist!
Posted by: Laurie Cameron in Evolutionary Men, Evolutionary Relationships, Evolutionary WomenToday I had the privilege of participating in a discussion about conscious relationships from a man’s perspective. It was facilitated by two of the most conscious, loving, honest men I know: Chet Sisk, and Tom LaRotanda.
What a joy it was to witness how they graciously showed up in all their humanness. They shared their wisdom and their confusion; their questions and their answers; their confidence and their vulnerabilities; what they’ve learned and what they still don’t know.
I estimate that there were about 40 people there - still more women than men, as is typical for this kind of discussion, but the men who were there were awesome. (So were the women!) As you can imagine, there was a lot of lively discussion, and it was great fun to be in that buzz.
There were lots of great tidbits that I took away - fodder for some great articles in the future. I want to share a few of these nuggets with you here. Some of these were shared by Tom or by Chet, and some of these are my own thoughts during the conversation:
- Being "conscious" is about being present with your thoughts, feelings and choices - and there are no real textbooks for being present. It’s something we all have to practice and learn, practice and learn, practice some more and learn some more.
- Being "conscious" means being honest - with yourself and with others - about your current thoughts and feelings.
- Being "conscious" is when you ask the question: "What thoughts, words and actions should I choose right now that will keep me in the highest integrity with who I AM and what I’m here to do?"
- We often seek validation through our relationships; being "conscious" is when I know who I am, what I’m here to do, and I know that I’m okay, no matter what another person says about me.
- We don’t know the answers for tomorrow; we have to let each day build on itself.
- We are ALL still working it out.
- There’s a danger in creating a label of what "conscious" should or should not look like, sound like or feel like. Each person’s process of waking up, and how they express themselves through that process is unique.
- This is not a black-and-white kind of deal. It’s not being either conscious or unconscious in your life. It’s a path and a journey along the continuum from less conscious and more conscious.
- Somehow "conscious" has come to focus more on the Feminine energy. We must remember to celebrate BOTH the Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine in each of us.
- Both the Masculine and the Feminine energies are essential to our existence - one may be more dominant, but they’re BOTH important.
- A "conscious" man who acknowledges and embraces his Feminine energy is no less of a man - he’s actually more of a balanced man.
- A conscious relationship can happen when both partners allow for a graceful dance between expressing their Masculine and Feminine energies.
- We women have to learn how to lovingly honor our men’s need to BE men!
My conclusion? Men who are firmly committed to the path of "waking up" and becoming more conscious are incredibly fun, gorgeous, sexy human beings!
Thank you Tom & Chet!
April 30th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I love how you point out that “we are all still working it out.” For so long, I thought the mission, the goal, was to “figure it all out.” Learning and understanding that my journey is a process, not a magical “it” that I’m struggling to achieve, I have become more present. It’s a daily practice, imperfect at that, but I know I’ve made the shift when I suddenly feel lighter, like a weight has come off my chest. Make sense?
June 6th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Thank you Angie, for your reminder that “waking up” is a daily practice. It doesn’t happen once, then everything’s different - at least not as far as I know! The concept of feeling lighter makes perfect sense! It feels great to release all the gunk that we unconsciously carry around.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
From the “tid - bits” I wish I had been there. Thanks for the sharing Laurie. I would have offered this:
In terms of growth, I traveled from infant to manhood in jerks and spurts. Much of the time propelled by a need to survive rather than to develop. Somewhere on the continuum I began to wake up; wake up to life, to others, to beauty, to GOD, to everything around me. I was totally astounded by what I was seeing. It was all visual. An incident, one simple act caused me to become aware. Aware of how precious; life is, love is, Spirit is. The sensory exhilaration was amazing. It was all visceral. My armor melted away. My heart became an equal to my mind. I could FEEL! I saw that the man I had created of myself - thick - rigid - military - authoritative - angry, was in truth an undeveloped - fearful child. How very blessed I was to encounter a (real) man. A teacher, a mentor who recognized, not only my potential, but a truth I could not see within myself. Be of service, be of service. I have been fed (spiritually,) nurtured courageously, and in gratitude for my experience do what I can to foster awareness in my fellow men. Happily, I am not alone in this endeavor; the above mentioned gathering bears witness that men are speaking out, and men are listening. Isn’t it amazing to realize that most of the great orators of all time have been men. Men of passion, men of zeal, men who incited and stirred peoples, generation to action. Men who when given a goal, a mission, a war to fight, a business to save, rose to the occasion, and succeed. Yet those same men found it hard to express love, compassion, and sensitivity. “Ah - The times they are a changing.” Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
June 9th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Thank you for sharing your eloquent thoughts, Jack! Now I can add you to the list of amazing conscious men that I know, and will also add a dozen more “Hallelujahs” to yours!
July 25th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Honesty and high integrity are the foundation for a higher consciousness. In all the “spiritual” work I do, I always include a special energy I put out to the men in our world. I know 2 evolved men. Both people have very happy relationships as their mates can trust them. When two people come together and they make high conscious choices, the outcome is beautiful.
July 25th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Thank you for your comment, Diana, and thank you for the loving energy that you put out into the world. Let’s all work together to create a whole lot more conscious, beautiful outcomes!