Openhand News: "Dealing with darkness"

Submitted by Chris Bourne on 2 November, 2011 - 06:59

Hi friends of Openhand,

It seems quite a few of you out there are taking a journey through the darkness right now. Perhaps it has something to do with the time of year - beginning to internalise our evolutionary growth of the spring and summer. I also get the sense it's happening because more and more people are beginning to vocalise their disquiet with society. There's less and less suppression of inconvenient truths. So how might we deal with darkness that wants to well up from within? That's the subject of our latest article on Openhandweb:
http://www.openhandweb.org/021111_dealing_darkness

    "In the depths of winter,
    I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."
    Albert Camus

What's been happening on the world stage?
Of course there's been the ongoing "Occupy Protests" happening. There's a sense they may be waning slightly now after the initial impact they made. Although I do notice in London the protest has managed to cause the Church to do a spot of navel gazing of late - some positive ripples there then! Here at Openhand we've been looking at ways in which we each can help spread the ripples of change through our day-to-day lives. So in this article below, we've considered 10 practical steps each of us can take to not only uplift ourselves, but also those we come into contact with. Join the rEVOLUTION:
http://www.openhandweb.org/291011_let_revolution_begin10_practical_steps

    "Cowardice asks the question - is it safe?
    Expediency asks the question - is it politic?
    Vanity asks the question - is it popular?
    But conscience asks the question - is it right?
    And there comes a time when one must take a position
    that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular;
    but one must take it because it is right."
    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What happens when you break down control and suppression?
We've recently returned from a Five Gateways Workshop in Budapest where building bridges between different people's and cultures was the name of the game. How refreshing it was to meet with wonderful people who've confronted much suppression in their country over the years, and yet still managed to carry the light. I got the sense quite strongly during the course that when people have suffered hardship on their journey, it can make them even more committed and courageous once the path reveals itself. That was certainly the case in Budapest. To all our new found friends in Hungary, we're looking forwards to organising more events with you early in the New year - stay tuned for details. And in the meantime, here's the article from the last trip:
http://www.openhandweb.org/241011_building_bridges_budapest

    "With the stones they put in your path,
    we may build a solid road down which to travel."
    Anonymous

Upcoming Events
Whether you're new to Openhand or have traveled with us before, we have some key dates we'd like you inspire you with in the coming weeks...

  • 5th/6th Nov: Five Gateways Workshop (Openhand level 1), GLASTONBURY
    ONE PLACE REMAINING - is it yours?
    Humanity has entered times of profound transformation. With climate change accelerating, natural energy resources dwindling and with our economic stability fracturing, we can no longer rely on the viability of the current system to support us. We must find a new way to evolve through these challenges by a shift in our own consciousness. A benevolent presence is acting through the synchronistic weave of life inviting us to go inwards, unravel the restrictions that bind us and unfold into a new paradigm of spiritually successful living, one that is emerging here and now all around us. We can each be a part of that new paradigm. We can each find safe passage through the turbulence. The way forwards is to go inwards, through the five expansions of consciousness - the Five Gateways - leading to our Enlightenment and Ascension. The workshop takes place this weekend on the 5th/6th November in Glastonbury. There's just one place remaining
    http://www.openhandweb.org/five_gateways_workshop_glastonbury_5th6th_nov
  • 22nd Nov: "Five Gateways Seminar", LYMINGTON HANTS
    Consciousness is constantly changing
    Five Gateways is a deeply insightful routemap that has been opening minds and hearts around the planet, stimulating a quantum shift in consciousness. In this evening presentation to the Lymington Positive Living Group by Openhand's Chris Bourne, he will be talking about current developments around the world and how evolving people are unfolding as the old world systems fracture and fragment...
    http://www.openhandweb.org/five_gateways_reopened_seminar_hants_22nd_nov
  • Facilitator's Program (stage 3)
    Helping others process their darkness and find the light
    Just a reminder to those who've been involved in our Facilitator's Program, there's the stage 3 coming up soon on 1st/2nd December. Like the previous gathering, it promises to be a powerfully catalytic and healing event. Amongst other things, it feels like we'll be exploring the nature of inner darkness and helping others to process it. Joining instructions will be sent out soon. In the meantime, here's a reminder of the info:
    http://www.openhandweb.org/facilitators_program_stage_3_glastonbury_1st2...

Other postings on Openhandweb
There's plenty that has been added since our last newsletter:

Do you feel to share?
Right now, around 80,000 people from around the world visit and read postings on Openhandweb every month. Yet only a few share your experiences - that's absolutely fine! And at the same time, those who do, have frequently reported how it helps them shed layers, unfold and touch something much deeper inside. Maybe you feel moved to share? We'd welcome you with open hands. Register for an account here...
http://www.openhandweb.org/user/register

A few final words...

    "It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
    I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow,
    if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled
    and closed from fear of further pain!
    I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own,
    without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it."
    Oriah Mountain Dreamer

With Love
The Openhand Team

PS: Join us on Facebook, Youtube and Openhandweb...

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