Riddle me this…
There’s two kinds of people in the world. The first kind doesn’t set an alarm and flutters their eyes open from sleep to the sound of nature, birds, trees, water: an awakened-type. The second kind is shocked by the harsh shriek of an alarm that is even louder and more surprising than the sound of cars, people shouting, and ambulances rolling by: an alarm-type.
Which one are you?
The reality is: most of you (us) are the alarm-type.
I type this with so much love and zero judgement. I’ve witnessed this alarm-type on a regular basis, both in myself and others. When the latest war crime, misogynistic behaviour, or climate crisis breaks into your algorithm on a 24-hour rolling news cycle, you experience shock. There’s a dilation of your pupils, a burst of cortisol through your tissues (hello, rage!), or perhaps a subtle physical panic of your whole body. While this somatic response is helpful when there is direct harm coming your way, how helpful is it to experience on a daily (even 3-4 times daily) basis? How helpful is it to continue reigniting this shock every time you talk about current events?
In the moment, this shock physiologically spikes your cortisol and activates your nervous system. While this is not new information for most of you, this shock tells me that your body has been under the pretence that none of this harm has been happening. It tells me that you’ve believed the world to be altruistically quaint and benevolent and that this particular degree of violence is sending seismic waves through your internal landscape.
This kind of shock isn’t wrong. But it is the result of an eruption that happens sparingly, not 3-4 times a day. In reality, this kind of eruption, shock, and wake-up call might happen 3-4 times during your lifetime. So if you find yourself in shock or acting shocked by the news more than 3-4 times during your lifetime, it might be time to consider that you have been ignoring reality. It might be time to ask yourself:
How in touch are you with reality, really?
As the world inevitably moves through cycles of violence, what does it take to honestly wake up?
It’s ok if you’ve been living in a fantasy. We’ve all done it. But the chronic shock of living in a fantasy and being met with a disturbing reality is a way of coping that will not support a sustainable, meaningful, awakened life. So, sure, be shocked. But don’t let it be chronic.
As a queer millennial of colour, I implore you to stop letting shock be the habitual response to violence, misogyny, and climate crisis. Instead, let it wake you up.
This kind of wakefulness will directly benefit you. When you stop spending so much energy yo-yoing back and forth between the pretence of a fantasy and recovering from seismic waves of shock on a regular basis, you’re going to be freed up. You’re going to have more energy and time to do things with your own intention + volition. There’s a window of opportunity here to do something that truly matters, grounded in reality.
I’d love nothing more than if you all (we all) entertained these ways of speaking, acting… of honestly living life.
In the words of a millennial icon:
In times full of societal and systemic discord, it is imperative that you are simultaneously aware of reality and consciously choosing your actions. It may mean changing some heavily habituated ways of being. This is challenging. But it’s worth it. It’s in service of recognizing the absurdity of the circus around you and creating a life with harmony and integrity. There’s so much beauty here. It’s natural. It’s cosmic. It’s already yours.
Ring, ring. It’s time to wake up. Honestly.
With care,
Kevin
Aug 31 - Sep 5
Hollyhock, Cortes Island, BC
1 Single-room remains; double, triple, dorm + tent options available
Earlybird rates available until June 1
Scholarship applications open + rolling (first come, first serve)
Healing can be joyful! Clear the clutter and return to your innate authenticity through the traditions of yoga, qigong, and somatic therapy.
Somatic Summer Camp is an opportunity to gather on the rich + traditional territories of the Klahoose, Tla’amin, and Homalco Nations, also know as Cortes Island in British Columbia. You’ll be treated to some wildly wonderful things to nourish your body deeply and radiate your honest self:
Daily yoga + qiong
Somatic workshops for visceral clarity + healing
Play time in sacred land + waters
Gourmet, farm-to-table meals
Chanting, song + voice practices for emergent pathways of expression
If you’ve been waiting for the right people, time, and place to feel deeply safe + brilliantly you in the world, this is it. If you have any questions, schedule a free 45-minute Alignment Call: we want to make sure this is the right fit for you.
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