A Profound Simplicity

I simply love the message of Leonard Jacobson. Leonard's message is deceptively simple, but truly profound: embrace the present. If you have a few moments to spare today, I think you would get a lot out of watching at least some of this video, below. I don't know of any spiritual teacher today who is as  wonderful, warm, humble and wise as Leonard. He really does walk the talk. The best thing is that he provides people with very simple tools to transform their lives, and free them from the grip of the "mind" and its illusions.
 

Here is Leonard's latest video webcast. 

Blessings,

Marcus

Who are the Leader-Sages?

Recently I wrote a blog post about former Czech president Vaclav Haval, and described him as a "Leader-Sage". Today I am going to spell out what I believe to be the qualities and attributes of a Leader-Sage. This is part of a book I am writing called Leading with Spirit. There is also a workshop series I will soon be beginning on the same subject.

I would love to hear readers' thoughts on the subject, including who you think are the notable and great Leader-Sages of history (present and past). These people don't necessarily have to be famous leaders of nations nor of masses of people. As an example of a smaller-scale Leader-Sage, I would nominate Jessica, the extraordinary woman who taught me so much about Integrated Intelligence. Then there are artists, writers, musicians, designers, architects and so on. One thing they must do - or have done - is lead and/or influence people in some positive way that contributes to the evolution of human consciousness.

One criteria I have included that defines what I mean by a “Leader-Sage” is having a high Integrated Intelligence. This basically means being able to tap into the extended mind - which connects an individual’s mind to non-local consciousness – and then being able to use that information to make wise decisions. This is obviously not something that many leaders would readily admit to, even if they were able to do it. So it does make this particular aspect of Leader-Sages difficult to pinpoint. Spiritual leaders would be the most willing to discuss such an ability, while leaders of state would be the least likely, for obvious reasons. Those leaders who engage in prayer or meditative reflection of some kind are obviously employing their Integrated Intelligence.

Of course not every Leader-Sage will exemplify all the qualities I outline below.

Just a few names that I would consider putting on the list of Leader-Sages would be:

The Gratitude of Being

Emmanuel Kelly: A powerful teacher indeed

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. 

So began Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, written 150 years ago. But how can a single time be both good and bad? The answer is provided, in part, by another giant of English literature, William Shakespeare. In Hamlet the protagonist declares that, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." It is the judgments that we pass on things that colour our experience. Judgments take us out of presence. Judgment blinds us to the divinity within the people we meet. It strips the day of its God-given glory.

I have always gotten a lot of spiritual guidance. I suspect that this is because I need more than most people, being a bit daft. Songs often pop into my head just when I am facing a problem, or getting caught up in the illusory world of thought and projection. One of the songs that often comes to me as guidance is The Streets of London, which was originally sung by Ralph McTell in the 1970s. It is a song about homeless people in England's largest city. The last verse and the chorus, go like this.

And have you seen the old man
Outside the seaman's mission
Memory fading with
The medal, ribbons that he wears.
In our winter city,
The rain cries a little pity
For one more forgotten hero
And a world that doesn't care

Chorus:

So how can you tell me you're lonely,
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something to make you change your mind

I remember singing that song in primary School. Mrs Marks, our music teacher, had the wisdom to teach it to us. Even as a youngster, I remember being moved by the simple and profound message. Above all The Streets of London implores us to give thanks for what we have, and not to focus upon what is missing. Take a look around and you will see many people who have it worse than you. Much worse. 

There is so much to appreciate in every day. This is why it is so important to not to allow your thoughts of unfulfilled hopes and dreams destroy the pure, simple abundance that lies at your feet this very moment.

The reason I write this short post today is that I recently saw a YouTube video which reminded me of this profound truth. It comes from the Australian talent show The X Factor, which is basically the Aussie version of American Idol. There is no need for me to say much about this video, and the wonderful and moving story that lies at the heart of it. It is the story of Emmanuel Kelly, the young man whose image fills the top of this page. He is a very special human being indeed. 

Simply watch and feel.

Blessings,

Marcus

The Wisdom Cycle (video)

Wisdom is the accumulated correct knowledge which comes from experience. It is about being able to understand the world and your place in it. It is also about knowing how to make wise decisions.

Wisdom implies self-knowledge. The wise man or women knows him/herself and his/her place in the world. There is a kind of certainty that comes from wisdom. This is not the strong-minded will-power of the warrior, but the relaxed surrender of allowing a greater voice to speak through you. Wisdom is also about having the courage to allow paths to unfold as they come into your sight, and being able to let go of what is behind you.

(If you can't see the video right here, click on "read more", below, then scroll back UP (not down) the page till you see the video).

Wise people tend to be experienced people, which is probably why wise people are usually depicted as old. But you don’t have to wait until you are old enough to grow a white beard or rinse your hair purple to be wise. Here, in this video, I am going to talk about using a greater wisdom than your individual mind – that of Integrated Intelligence (INI). The context is in making important decisions in your life.

The key with using intuition is to use it and then to keep using it. If you ignore your intuition you will lose it. It’s that simple. 

The Wisdom Cycle is a great way to begin expanding your intuition because with any creative act it permits the ongoing use of INI. In other words, it offers lots of opportunity for practicing using intuition.

For a greater appreciation of the theory behind this little talk, click on "read more". It’s an extract from my book Sage of Synchronicity.