Esteemed Reader
Publisher Jason Stern explains how the enneagram is both a symbolic portrait and a roadmap to becoming a completed human being.
By Jason Stern
Oct 1, 2019
Tags: Esteemed Reader enneagram jason stern
Esteemed Reader
Esteemed Reader of Our Magazine:
The tenor of the public discourse, so rife with vitriol, polemics, and contradictions exerts a continuous draw on attention and the temptation to get swirled into an omnipresent vortex of negativity. In my view, this is the beginning of the kind of mass psychosis that tends to precede violent upheavals in society.
How does a person inwardly strive for presence and impartiality in front of budding and blooming disequilibrium leading to the deterioration and collapse of a society that has, hitherto in our lifetime, been livable if not comfortable?
Around the time of my birth, numerous spiritual teachers and thoughtful academics were expressing much the same message: the current social and economic structures of human life are not sustainable for the earth nor for maintaining a basic let alone abundant human society. The unsustainable system, these teachers said, is bound to fail, and we need to begin to coalesce authentic communities based on perennial principles.
One of the teachers from what could be called the "New Axial Age" of the end of the 20th century was an English polymath named John Bennett. He formulated the problem and pointed to a solution in a private meeting with a group of students in London in 1972:
"The problem in front of us all is how to live in a world that is being increasingly dominated by negative forces; how to become possible channels for transmission of positive forces. How not to get oneself caught into the stream of negativity. It seems easy enough to decide in one's own mind that this is what one wants to do and intends to do, but it is necessary to stop and ask oneself whether we are capable of making the decision to put aside, with every means available to us, negative attitudes in our thoughts and in our speech and in our behavior towards other people."
I am humbled in the face of an admonition such as the above, suggesting the possibility of putting away all negative attitudes toward others. Despite efforts to be inwardly clean, I see the frequency with which negativity leaks into my thoughts, emotions, words, and deeds. I see that I react to both people near to me—people that I love—as well as to public figures and events in the news. To become really cleansed of negativity seems like a bodhisattva vow, something ideal but impossible.
Some of the events in the life of John Bennett come to mind. I recall how his teacher, Peter Ouspensky, suggested that Bennett and other students attempt to work with the Orthodox practice of perpetual Prayer of the Heart. With application, Bennett became able to recite The Lord's Prayer continuously and simultaneously in English, Greek, and Latin, even in the midst of a busy outer life.
Bennett had superpowers of intention, effort, and attention. He was a giant of inner work. As a mere mortal, I wonder, how could I approach this task?
In answer, I recall that Bennett further suggested that we are not in this evolutionary inner work alone. There are forces, intelligences, he said, that are involved with genuine human progress. This evolution is a development of being, growing a vessel or soul that is able to contain reactions and transmute poison into nectar. Help, Bennett said, is available to those guided by conscience, the inner compass that allows human beings to see and respond to what is true.
The forces involved with human evolution are always available to help. To receive this one needs a balance of active work on oneself and receptivity to help and guidance from beyond (or from deep within) oneself. This is expressed in the Arab proverb "Trust in Allah but tether your camel," or "[The Totality] helps him who helps himself."
Bennett concluded his teaching with this formulation of the task for those who wish to work for a positive future for humanity:
"To replace all negative attitudes towards the existing world by a feeling of confidence and love towards the new world which is being born, towards the still unborn child that is the future mankind, to arouse in oneself constantly this love of the future humanity. Every time one observes in oneself some kind of negative attitude, to take this as the reminder that we human beings live on this Earth in order to serve and particularly to serve the future and to serve with love, with hope, with confidence that it is possible for humankind to be born again."
—Jason Stern
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By Jason Stern
Aug 1, 2019
Tags: Esteemed Reader chronogram magazine jason stern John Bennett
Spirituality
When you’re looking for items that are supposed to benefit your spiritual health: a healing crystal or totem, a special bracelet, yoga and meditation tools—you want to make sure you trust where it’s coming from—that everything from the materials to the impact on the artisans you’re supporting checks out.
At Majestic Hudson Lifestyle thoughtful curation of handmade goods and blissful experiences from someone deeply connected to the space of mindfulness and makers is a priority.
The brand was born three years ago on “the foundation of experiences that ‘fosters connection, inspires creativity, and supports a compassionate lifestyle one blissful experience at a time,’” according to Jennifer Llewellyn, Chief Wellness Officer at Majestic Hudson Lifestyle.The growing online store and Katonah-based brick and mortar boutique grew naturally out of Jen's “ever-growing quest” to enhance those blissful experiences.
Given her background as a Hudson Valley artist and maker, with a BFA in Graphic Design and minor in printmaking from SUNY New Paltz, Llewellyn approaches curation and sales with her artisans in mind. She makes sure that everything in her boutique gallery is Hudson Valley-made and Fair Trade, coming from makers that she’s come to know intimately.
“As a maker myself, I enjoy tooting people's horns, not only my own. As the saying goes ‘makers gonna make’ and I just felt local artisans needed a home and a cheerleading squad. The Majestic Hudson Lifestyle Boutique is that Mothership,” Llewellyn says. “Every artisan represented has a story, you do not have to hunt for them on a shelf. I consider it a high priority to know the maker and their craft personally I want to tell their stories every day, all day long. The actual power of selection will make you feel good about your own purpose in the commercial cycle.”
Llewellyn also prides herself on being able to source specialty crystals and creating bespoke healing art based on what a customer is experiencing. Recently, she helped source a rough watermelon tourmaline from Brazil, which was recommended by a customer’s healer for a special ceremony in her daughter’s honor.
“Often customers are comfortable enough to show up and ask for what they desire and I am always happy to walk them through the selection process to create or procure what they need,” she says. “I knew I could curate a plethora of handmade, earth-made tools that enhance creative and spiritual practices that help us grow, heal and develop as conscious, warm-hearted individuals.”
Llewellyn also works to make sure her store and brand promotes a real, lived-in approach to mindfulness. A devoted fan of Joseph Campbell (he’s her pick for anyone in history she’d like to have dinner with), she says she’s constantly inspired by the quote “follow your bliss.”
“Mindfulness practice is not just about taking a yoga class; it is making a painting, walking your dog, baking bread, and taking a hike, being present with your children…. The list is long and very personal to you. Do what you love,” Llewellyn says. “When you leave my boutique or float out of one of my experiences you have homework: Smile often. Do what you love. Practice your craft often. Go Outside. Surround yourself with reminders to be present, in the now. Follow Your Bliss.”
Visit Majestic Hudson's website to browse some of their cool, curated items and reach out to Jennifer to see if she can help you find the right spiritual items for you.
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By Majestic Hudson Lifestyle
Jul 11, 2019
Tags: Spirituality Wellness Majestic Hudson Lifestyle Mindfulness tools online shopping crystals smudging jewelry mindfulness classes near me Hudson Valley spiritual wellness spiritual health tools Sponsored Content Web Only
Retreats
Part resort, part retreat center Menla offers a rejuvenating, centering, and comfortable experience, whether you are there for a personal getaway or for one of the contemplative, restorative workshops guided by world-renowned instructors.
By Marie Doyon and Menla
May 23, 2019
Tags: Retreats menla retreat center spa tibetan center Web Only Sponsored Content
Esteemed Reader
Our publisher Jason Stern shares an E. E. Cummings poem about death and rebirth, and discusses the cycle happening in different forms.
By Jason Stern
May 1, 2019
Tags: Esteemed Reader E E Cummings
Mind
New walk-in centers for mental health and addiction offer help in urgent situations.
By Wendy Kagan
May 1, 2019
Tags: Mind mental health urgent care
Medical
Tensions are running high around the controversial topic of vaccination. Here’s a look at both sides of the debate.
By Anne Pyburn Craig
May 1, 2019
Tags: Medical vaccination vaccines
