RSS

Tag Archives: Travel

“One Path, Many Mountains” by Pheonyx Roldan Smith

21 May

IMG_2998

Why do we climb mountains? Why do watch sunrises and sunsets? Why do we take long walks in the park?  Strolls at sunset on the beach? Even perhaps sit in a cave or on a rock or in an ashram for hours on end?  Well, as the old adage goes… because they are there.  However, the deeper meaning, I believe, is to find or experience just that… the deeper meaning of this thing called Life.

atlanta_gaThey say that traveling makes one appreciate that which one already has.  There is no doubt about that.  After traveling for over a year now in the far reaches of southern Asia, I’ve come to appreciate many a thing about home back in the western world.  In particular, I’ve come to truly appreciate a sense of community; quiet contemplations of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina; friends and family in the busy metropolis of Atlanta, Georgia; electric power; running water; clean streets and sidewalks with trash bins.  Yet, the biggest thing I’ve come to realize and appreciate is the diversity which is this world and all of life.

I’ve sat in the monastery.  I’ve walked through bamboo forests of northern Vietnam. I’ve rented a house in the middle of a Balinese rice field.  I’ve done yoga and qigong in the mountains of Nepal.  I’ve watched the sun rise over the clouds amid the mountain tops of northern Philippines.  I’ve walked the busy streets of both modern megalopolis and the quaint village which have required hours on bus, plain or even train to reach.  Some of those places only reachable on foot even.  The world is a big place, and I have by no means seen every inch of it.  Indeed I have seen more of it than some and far less of it then a great many others.  But the way that I’ve seen it has been with eyes looking beyond what can even be experienced by simple sight.

IMG_2478I have looked under the surface of all there is.  I have gazed into the eyes of the water buffalo while sipping masala tea in the east.   I’ve peered down from some of the tallest spires of man’s making in Singapore.  I have gazed out equally upon the body of the great Mother Earth which man seems determined to alter and even conquer.  I’ve sat amid ancient rice terraces created by men whose goal is to simply feed their own families and communities, let alone a hungry if not starving world.  I have witnessed gaping wounds of earth on the edge of rivers where machines gauge out quarries of rock and soil to make room for more of man’s making and to provide the concrete that would eventually provide shelter and industry of an ever-increasing population.

935793_10200813688480105_838712547_nI have looked into the face of an ancient past with an eye set on a not-so-distant future.  And what have I seen?  That underneath it all, it is all completely the same.  Whether struggling to survive or coming into the knowing and understanding on what it means to thrive upon this little blue planet of ours, in the end all men and women kind are pretty much exactly the same.  Under the surface of it all there really is no difference.  Just as a goat is a goat is a goat (and trust me, I’ve seen a lot of goats on this journey), and a field is a field is a field, and a mountain is a mountain is a mountain, so true is the statement that a human is a human is a human.

So, essentially, here is the big fat secret…  Something you probably already know… at least in your head.  In theory perhaps.  However, here it is…  Are you ready for it?  Are you sure you want to know??  Don’t say I didn’t warn you.  Okay, here it is…

No matter how you slice it, no matter where you go in the world, it’s really all… the… same.  

Point blank.  Truth at its most simplest and deepest form.  Experienced.  Laughable even.  But absolutely True.  And I mean that with a capital “T”.

Now, I know there are going to be a number of you who are going to want to argue with me on that.  How do,I know?  Well, let’s just say that I do.  Like I said, I’ve looked under the surface.  But before you postulate those counter points, bear with me here for a moment.  Be with me now…

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

“When one travels around the world, one notices to what an extraordinary degree human nature is the same, whether in India or America, in Europe or Australia. This is especially true in colleges and universities. We are turning out, as if through a mould, a type of human being whose chief interest is to find security, to become somebody important, or to have a good time with as little thought as possible.” -Krishnamurti

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

IMG_0504Sure, cultures are different.  Languages vary even more than hair or eye color by the hundreds or even thousands.  However, the deeper language is all the same.  I hear it in the voices I’ve engaged with no matter what the origin of the tongue or tribe.  I’ve seen it in the eyes of just about every villager and city-dweller I’ve had the privilege to share space with.  I’ve felt it on a soul level with every being who has allowed me the honor to reveal my own.  Time… space… distance… culture… language… likes… dislikes… it’s all the same.  It’s all an illusion, and yet those illusions are the very threads that make up the fabric of Life itself.  How beautiful is that?

What is it that you yourself most desire in life?  Freedom?  Same.  Safety/Security?  Same.  Family and/or Friendship?  Same.  Same.  Good food?  Same.  Safe drinking water? Same again.  Good health? You guessed it… all the same.

IMG_2294You see, no matter where people are in the world there are these basic human fundamentals that exist for all beings.  Okay, so what I’m saying has already been said by so many beings, both mystical and practical thinkers alike.  Abraham Maslow coined it as the “Basic Hierarchy of Needs” in his 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation”.  But even beyond our basic needs of food, family and shelter we all have deeper desires built into the very fabric of our own being that seek to be manifested… Joy…  Personal connection… Communion to something greater than ourselves be that Nature or God (like there’s a difference)… and the greatest of all these… yup, you guessed it… Love.

Oh come on, I know that even some of you diehard, serial singles (whether by choice or circumstance) out there can’t deny that what you ultimately seek is to have love in your life.  But this is where the road diverges.  Don’t worry, it’s still all the same.  However, where some seek love outside of themselves, others have gone beyond the basic needs of acquiring food, family, shelter, a decent job, a husband, wife or partner and taken the road less travelled in order to fall completely, inexorably, head-over-heals in love with themselves.  That’s the main driving force that shifts one from the basic concept of survive-abilty to the ultimate conquest of thrive-abilty in this third dimensional school for the soul.   Move beyond the basic and even second tier fundamentals, and there is a whole new world in THIS world just waiting to be explored.

Thus, I proffer, that people are all the same.  Either they are simply surviving and working in life to take care of their basic needs, or they have moved on from focusing their energies on the basic fundamentals by focusing whatever resources they have, real or imagined (I’ll let you figure that one out), on the next level of the human experiential.  OR people are somewhere in the between; somewhere between the old world and the new.  Same… same… same.

And so I leave you with this thought and well-heard truism… “wherever you go, there you are”.   I also often tell both friends and clients alike that one often has to go away in order to find their way home.  And in the end, we are all here just helping each other home.

ghorepani1So, don’t be afraid to take that leap.  Don’t be afraid to cut those cords.  Don’t be afraid to let go of everything including whatever you think it is you about yourself.  But do hold onto the Truth that the Universe knows exactly what it is doing.  Do remember that you are a divine, intricate and valuable expression of the Source… just like everyone else.  Do know that beyond living there is loving and eternal learning.  Do know that we are all in this together, we are all exactly them same and yet profoundly unique in all that we are capable of doing.  Yet, in the end, everything comes back around full circle.  Think of it as a spiral actually, infinitely above as it is infinitely below.  Infinitely without as it is infinitely within.  And eventually, we end up right where we began, but perhaps with a slightly higher perspective next time.  Hmmmm… now that’s what mountain tops are for.

I love you.  Keep breathing.  Within the eternal now ever-unfolding, Pheonyx

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

The OCG Awareness Project 365+: One World. One Journey. Three Parts.

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

About OCG + About Pheonyx + Current Projects + Services to Humanity = ♥

click the pics and/or visit the Communities & Causes and Travel Journal pages for info & updates!

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

Three easy ways YOU can support the Project today: (1) Click the LIKE button below.  (2) SHARE this page with others.  (3) DONATE today! → Yes, why not now? Absolutely, we totally agree… there’s no better time than the present!  ♥  AND just so you know… NO gift is ever (never ever ever eeehhh-vah!) too big or too small.  Every share and every love offering goes directly towards helping us help raise awareness, inspire others and build a larger, stronger, wiser, more connected community of beings all around the world. Thank you! ♥ -PRS

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK.COM…

Screen Shot 2012-12-26 at 2.41.34 PM

Screen Shot 2012-12-26 at 2.39.45 PM

 
1 Comment

Posted by on May 21, 2013 in by Pheonyx (Articles), Humanity, Travel

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Eyes Closed, Arms Open, Deep Breath… and Listen” by Pheonyx Roldan Smith

24 Apr

551029_10151580119701183_545783434_n-1

“Eyes Closed, Arms Open, Deep Breath… and Listen” by Pheonyx Roldan Smith via http://theocgproject.com/ocg365/travel-journal

Rain… The sound and smell of it permeates the air. Thunder rolls just over the northern ridge of the famed Himalayas and grumbles like an old man in his rocking chair. Technically it’s still the dry season and the monsoons are officially another month or two away, but the sound of thunder and the cool pitter-patter of rain is a welcome gift here at the end of my second full week in Nepal.

I’d been praying for rain, hoping that a little bit of liquid manna from the sky would clear some of the dust and air pollution of Kathmandu enough to allow one to breathe a bit of fresh air for at least a short while as well as afford a decent view of the mountains which had otherwise been obscured by a constant thick grey haze of smoke, dust and vehicle exhaust. So it seems, the rain gods were pleased and have proffered me my request.

I left the busy crowded streets of Kathmandu two days ago seeking higher ground and a little more breathing space (and air). I landed in Kopan, a foothills village just on the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley, a stone’s throw away, and yet a world apart from the noisy, congested, peddler-pushin’ streets of Nepal’s capital city. Kopan Monastery, my home for close to a week, sits high atop a hill overlooking the town which remains sparsely populated and picturesque from this bird’s eye view with Bhoudanatha, home of one of Nepal’s largest stupas.

Shortly after I checked into my room the thunder began to roll. Apparently, however, that was only meant to be the sounding bell for not a single drop of rain made it over the ridge. Yet, the following day was a different story all together as Mother Nature unleashed a lovely torrent upon the hill valley. The rain had an equally cleansing effect upon my own heart and mind as I sat by candle light in my own little monk’s quarters quietly listening to what the weather had to say.

At around 5am the next morning, I arose as usual with the first sound of my beloved bird friends, the caroling of the usual cocks and crows mixing with other various song birds which share the sanctuary. I was eager to take to my morning meditation with hopes of clearer views of the mountains to the east as the sun made another round over the foothills. I was not disappointed, and though not crystal, the sight ridges yet before unseen was met with an unusual coolness of breath as the wind ushered in a cool breeze from the northeast corridor of the valley.

The question that came to my awareness during both the previous evening as the thunder rolled and the rains fell and again that morning as the sun rose over the mountains illuminating the morning mist was, “What am I doing here?”

I had to laugh at the question which was sourced by the makings of my own thinking mind. Morpheous, whom I refer to as the egoic nature of my self, doesn’t much like not knowing, and though he is better at relinquishing control of the unknown these days, We (Pheonyx and I/We/Source/ the Higher Self) still have to have some casual conversations of assurance with this more rational part of our self.

“We are here… just being,” the internal dialogue between the heart and mind commenced. “Just waiting for the next sign to appear as to whether our next move is to the east or to the west.”

“But what are we doing here in Nepal?” Morpheous persisted.

“Again, we are just here. Moving with the flow. All internal signs pointed north, and north we came. Relax. All things will be made clear in time. We have to trust.”

With those familiar words, Morpheous relented a bit and allowed the mind to become clear and at peace. What was replaced was a beautiful receiving of energy, clarity, physical and emotional stillness. As I breathed facing the morning sun a new breathing meditation began to circumnavigate the outer recesses of the higher mind.

Breathing in the words came to me, “As I breathe, in I open the channels of my Mind.” Breathing out, the following words ensued, “As I breathe out, I release all obstacles that stand of the way of total receiving.”

Eyes closed, the breathing began to slow and become even deeper. Moving beyond the realm of thought, further instructions followed as my listening became deeper as well. Dropping the awareness to the heart center, “As I breathe in I open the channels of my Heart.” Exhaling, “As I breathe out, I release all obstacles that stand in the way of total receiving.”

Going even deeper still as my awareness dropped into the first and second chakras, the point of origin and the energy points most associated with the physical form of beingness, “As I breathe in, I open the channels of my Body.” Allowing the breath be exhaled down into the Earth,” As I breathe out, I release all obstacles that stand in the way of total receiving.”

Additional aspects of this newly received mantra-breathing meditation began to reveal itself at the eastern base of my tiny meditation mound in the temple garden. It had been a while since I’d received any new information involving healing meditations from my guides and I/We (even Morpheous) were delighted to be receiving some new instructions. The breathing meditation was then combined with a new sounding meditation I began to use and share with others while in Vietnam. The technique utilizes the primordial sounds of “Uhh”, “Ahh”, “Eee” and “Oh-m” in correlation with the three major dantiens (energy points) and astral realm as utilized in the ancient practice of Qi Gong. More on that to come soon.

And thus with the clarity of Mind, Body and Spirit, we remain still and yet ever-changing. Following the meditation, the call to head west to Pokhara felt strongest. So, we shall head there and see what the Universe has in store. There is much to explore for the next several months. A great deal more lies between the valleys and ridges of the inner/higher mind which I have come to realize are now seeking further exploration. THAT is why we are here, dear Morpheous. As above so it is below, and our exteriors are nothing more than a reflection of what is within. We shall seek even higher and awe-inspiring ground. And so it is, and so it shall be. In full faith, trust and ever-lasting grace of the Divine, we shall continue. ♥, Pheonyx

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

The OCG Awareness Project 365+: One World. One Journey. Three Parts.

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

About OCG + About Pheonyx + Current Projects + Services to Humanity = ♥

click the pics and/or visit the Communities & Causes and Travel Journal pages for info & updates!

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

Three easy ways YOU can support the Project today: (1) Click the LIKE button below.  (2) SHARE this page with others.  (3) DONATE today! → Yes, why not now? Absolutely, we totally agree… there’s no better time than the present!  ♥  AND just so you know… NO gift is ever (never ever ever eeehhh-vah!) too big or too small.  Every share and every love offering goes directly towards helping us help raise awareness, inspire others and build a larger, stronger, wiser, more connected community of beings all around the world. Thank you! ♥ -PRS

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK.COM…

Screen Shot 2012-12-26 at 2.41.34 PM

Screen Shot 2012-12-26 at 2.39.45 PM

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on April 24, 2013 in Breathwork, by Pheonyx (Articles), Meditation, Travel

 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

“Knowing Thyself: The Journey Home” by Pheonyx Roldan Smith

21 Jul

Quezon City, Philippines.  It’s been a full four months here in the Philippines.  In fact, I realize it’s been exactly four months to the date as I’m writing this.  No wonder I felt deeply compelled to write more than usual today.  It’s so funny how the Universe works.  It’s been a beautiful blend of intense personal journeying reconnecting with family and cultural roots and gathering experiences and information on community and cultural healing modalities for the documentary project..

My mantra as of late has been one word mostly… FASCINATING. And it really has been, from the people and places I’ve had the opportunity to see.  From the regions of my mother’s birth place and childhood home in southern Vasayas province regions of Negros Oriental to the absolutely splendid mountain villages of northern Luzon such as Baguio and the very sacred setting of Sagada to the busy, exhaust fume filled streets of Manila, it’s been a fascinating journey of contrasts and blessed comparisons of the hearts, minds and livelihood of a very spirited people.  Of course, as an island nation made up of over 7000 (7,107 to be exact =) individual islands, nearly 200 uniquely spoken languages (otherwise referred to as regional dialects with Tagalog and English as the two official languages spoken throughout), and over 100 still active (but sadly shrinking) indigenous tribes throughout the islands, one could easily spend a lifetime here exploring the many possibilities of this very diverse and somewhat under-appreciated country.

Overall, the spiritual movement itself within the Philippines is still in the early stages of expansion. As a primarily heavily-practicing Catholic country with over 300 years of Spanish colonial influence followed by another 100 years of American social and education usurpation, it’s been a struggle for many Philipinos to truly know who they are without all the outside cultural iconification of modern-day western influences.*  Not only characteristically and socially, but spiritually as a nation of people who share deep roots to indigenous nature-based spiritual belief systems much akin to those of other major indigenous cultures such as the Mayans of Central America, the Aborigines of Australia and the hundreds if not thousands of Native American Tribes of North America.

But like everywhere, the strive to better know thyself is here, and there are many who are beginning to literally wake up to something new. And the feeling that I get through those whom I have had the privilege and joy to come across is the wave of awareness is growing fast, and those who are waking up are hungry for information and are eager to share this information with each other. The internet has been a great tool for communication, of course, and through facebook groups like Lightworkers in the Philippines on a local level and the On Common Ground and Spirit Science communities online, the information is spreading, and more and more gatherings for equal exchange and growth are being formed even as we speak.

From understanding the basics of the ego to utilizing energy healing methods such mindful manifestation techniques, meditation and qigong (energy work), it’s been a deep honor and a lot of fun to share these eternal/internal technology knowledge with people, and I am deeply looking forward to the “big ones” with two full-day The MerKaBah Method Lightbody Activation Workshops taking place this and next weekend. The first will be a private gathering for a group of reiki masters and students, and the second open to the general public here in Quezon City on the 28th. I’m really excited because very few people here have yet to experience the power of intense transformational breathwork. For example, there were zero hands raised among the group of 20 in the most recent mini-workshop on the MerKaBah when asked if anyone has experienced with deep breathwork before. So, needless to say, I imagine that these are going to be interesting and quite transformational for folks indeed.

And though I would love to stay on longer, despite my one-year “Balikbayan” visa (lit. Balik = come back; Bayan = hometown or homeland in Filipino/Tagalog), I must continue on the journey beyond the Philippine’s borders.  At least for now.   So, in a couple of weeks I head to Bali for a personal retreat to finish writing “the book”, as well as meet some new and interesting souls as I continue on the flow towards that even greater unknown. Where it will all take me in the end? We shall see. The journey itself is the destination for me at the moment.  Being in the moments and simply receiving them as they come has been beautiful and inspiring in so many surprising and appreciated ways.

So, the journey continues. I love and appreciate you all… past, present and future expressions and experiences of adventure, curiosity, love and light.  I have learned an immense amount about myself, my roots and have seen mirrors of my own struggle to “return home” in some simple yet profound in an effort to better understand the origins of the self .  And with this knowledge and experience I have been able to understand and connect with just another layer of my essential being while moving along this path of self-progress and personal awareness.  It’s a good life and I am filled with gratitude for the past struggles and deep levels of trust and courage of letting go which have propelled me to now. Letting more and more in all the time now that there is much more room for it all to flow into. Non-stop. No resistance, and deep appreciation. There’s plenty to go around.  And as I often say… it’s a big small world, and around and around I go.

More to come. ♥, Pheonyx

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

*Footnote: The arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 marked the beginning of an era of Spanish interest and eventual colonization. In 1543, Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos named the archipelago Las Islas Filipinas in honor of Philip II of Spain. Miguel López de Legazpi arrived in the Philippines in 1565 and consolidated Spanish rule in the islands, which remained a colony of Spain for more than 300 years. Manila became the Asian hub of the Manila–Acapulco galleon fleet. As the 19th century gave way to the 20th, there followed in quick succession the Philippine Revolution, which spawned the short-lived First Philippine Republic; the Spanish-American War; and the Philippine–American War. In the aftermath, the United States emerged as the dominant power; aside from the period of Japanese occupation, the United States retained sovereignty over the islands until the end of World War II when the Philippines gained independence. Since then, the Philippines has had an often tumultuous experience with democracy, with popular “people power” movements overthrowing a dictatorship in one instance but also underlining the institutional weaknesses of its constitutional republic in others. (via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines)

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

The OCG Awareness Project 365+: One World. One Journey. Three Parts.

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

About OCG + About Pheonyx + Current Projects + Services to Humanity = ♥

click the pics and/or visit the Communities & Causes and Travel Journal pages for info & updates!

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

Three easy ways YOU can support the Project today: (1) Click the LIKE button below.  (2) SHARE this page with others.  (3) DONATE today! → Yes, why not now? Absolutely, we totally agree… there’s no better time than the present!  ♥  AND just so you know… NO gift is ever (never ever ever eeehhh-vah!) too big or too small.  Every share and every love offering goes directly towards helping us help raise awareness, inspire others and build a larger, stronger, wiser, more connected community of beings all around the world. Thank you! ♥ -PRS

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK.COM…

Screen Shot 2012-12-26 at 2.41.34 PM

Screen Shot 2012-12-26 at 2.39.45 PM

————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on July 21, 2012 in by Pheonyx (Articles), Humanity, Travel

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

“Peace, Play and the Power of Endless Possibilities” by Pheonyx Roldan Smith

10 May

“Sunrise over Sibulan” by Pheonyx Roldan

.
OCG 365+ Travel Blog Update 04/30/12: [Tubtubon, Philippines] :: Monday morning… a slight breeze flows in from the east as the sun begins to crest just above the palm tree line across the horizon.  The air is not as thick as it usually is here in the mornings, and the usual haze of smoke from morning breakfast fires  and the dust from the dirt road that runs in front of the house is a little bit lighter than usual as well.  However, I know I have approximately half an hour here before the sun heats up the fully exposed front porch tile (and my person) enough to make it uncomfortable enough to retreat back into the air-conditioned comfort of the bedroom. (I know… I know… spoiled American.  I’m the first to admit it… for now.) =)~

It’s the dry season here in the Philippines.  “Dry” being a relative term, considering I am in the tropics.  According to one of the demographic websites on regional climatic conditions in this area, (gosh, what did we do before the world wide web? really??)  “Though some rainfall can be expected in every month, the rainfall differs greatly through the year.   In the period June – October it’s raining cats and dogs!  The influence of the southwest monsoon is  very clear.   In the period December – May  there is no monsoon anymore. The trade wind is coming from the northeast and brings hardly any rainfall.”  

According to my cousins and personal experience, it’s also the hottest time of the year here during the months of April and May.  And “dry” only refers to the amount of rainfall.  Trust me, there is no lack of humidity as it still lingers in the 80+ percentile.  So that, combined with an average temperature of 95oF and surprisingly very few days with an actual breeze, means plenty of sweating.  Despite my attempts to acclimate, my body still operates most happily (aka, productively) below 80o and a relatively dry environment.  I know I won’t always have this seemingly minor luxury, so I’m enjoying it while I have it.

Thus, the past few weeks have been a labor of love, from the comfort cooler, drier interior spaces.  Mostly on making massive changes and updates to the flow and content of the OCG Project’s website, researching upcoming volunteer and work-exchange projects throughout southeast Asia, and contacting and communicating with some really amazing beings who are doing some really great work in the world, and pre-preparing for a major online fund-raising campaign which will help support the work and the mission of connecting with so many great people, causes and communities and help us tell the story to the world at large.

What time I’ve had left beyond that has been taking some much-appreciated quiet time for myself and sharing some time with the many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.  It’s been a much slower pace and more one-on-one opportunities, compared to the first three weeks when my parents were also here and there were massive gatherings around mealtime and sight-seeing expeditions.  I appreciate both, but much prefer the latter.  Perhaps it’s my age.  Perhaps it’s my personality.  No doubt, a combination of both, but I just prefer the quieter more intimate opportunities to connect with the beings with whom I happen to also share some genetic connection.  Everything occurs in its right and perfect time and place, of course.

another curious child gaze caught on film

For about two and a half weeks I also did some volunteer work with a local orphanage for young girls called Isla ng Bata (the “Island of Children”) in a town called Calabnugan up in the mountains about half an hour from here.  It was founded by Francesco, an Italian who married Flora, who is originally from the Philippines.  Together with a staff of about half a dozen and a handful of other volunteers, mostly Italian, we care for about 15-20 children at any given time.  I was put in contact with them through the social services department of the neighboring town of Sibulan where a few of my cousins work.

It was a good first experience albeit short-lived simply due to the fact that the organization had plenty of staff and volunteer help with not enough to do.  I felt I was a bit of an “8th wheel”, if you will, and discovered that I personally prefer a little more structure in my volunteer work.  Currently, the children are on summer vacation from school.  Seems they run the same calendar year as the public school system in the states, which I find somewhat ironic considering it’s pretty much summer season around here year-’round.  The children are lovely and though many of them come from poor if not a few “broken” homes, you would not be able to tell simply by looking at and engaging with them.

The children are very eager and active (very very active), and it turned out that my primary “job” became being the resident uncle as one of the very few male figures, aside from a gentleman well into his 70’s and Frescesco, one of the founders, who was usually busy with more mundane tasks of running an orphanage.  It was exhausting (LOL), to say the least.   It really was.  And since there was very little structured down-time built into the days for rest or education (outside of mealtimes, which provided quite another spectacle) and more than enough staff to assist in various ways, I decided to keep my time short and move onto some other personal project related items that were requesting my attention.  I did teach the children (and few of the adults) some yoga and breathwork, but given the immense amount of loose energy of the children, I was only able to really hold their attention for about a half an hour or so before the jungle-gym mentality, or something else new and shiny, would begin to grab their attention.  Alas, another beautiful practice of surrendering to the flow of children.

So… we played.  More importantly, I played… and that’s exactly what I needed to do.  So, for three days a week for approximately three weeks, I played with the bata (children) of Calabnugan.  It also gave me the opportunity to play with my video documentary skills and the new equipment donated to the project.  I’ve got some good footage and we’ll see how it all comes together in the end.  However, you can check out a few of the video blogs on the OCG travel journal page.

And for me personally, about the same time I was wrapping up the volunteer stint, I noticed my own energies beginning to shift inwards; thus, answering the inner call to take care of more back-of-the house administrative needs on the Project from the calm, cool, quiet sanctity of my cousin’s home in Tubtubon.  I recently discovered that this shift also started right about the same time that Mercury (planet that rules communication) and Mars (action) went into retrograde (going inward/resting).  Just happened to intuitively work out that way (lol), which I still get a kick out of no matter how often it happens these days.

mural of history of Filipino on outside wall of the downtown Dumaguete open air market

And within the past couple of weeks the two planets have been moving forward, and so has my energy.  Just yesterday I received a video post titled “Astrology Forecast May 2012”.  It’s good and perfect and in alignment with so much I’ve personally been feeling build over the last couple of weeks.  And despite my usual go-go-go disposition, I am often reminded by my Guides and the Universe that there is a right and perfect time for everything, and it’s equally important to go within in order to self-nurture so that you can eventually go further out.    And as one of my all time favorite Jason (I love you) Mraz (call me! lol… seriously though… call me =)~ songs say, “the details are in the fabric”.

I love you all.  Every single person whos eyes and ears come across this writing… this page… this site… this journey.  Many of you I may never even meet either in person or through the many modern-day channels of communication and connection we have today, but I love and appreciate you still.  I appreciate every single being who has and IS showing up in support of this project, be it in your words, your sharing it with others, your recommendations, your contacts, your dollars and most importantly… your love and appreciation for what is also a very personal and self-fulfilling project of love and life for me.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!  I love you!  Don’t stop believing. If you have not already done so, please subscribe to theOCGproject.com’s newsletter (upper right-hand corner of the website) and continue to explore and share the many resources and works of inspiration we have created for you… members of the One Family sharing space here on the same common ground of Mother Earth, the great School of Life.

Much more to come.  Stay tuned!  Light it up!  lov-en-lght, Pheonyx

—————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

The OCG Awareness Project 365+ : One Year. One World. One Purpose.

a documentary about community living, loving and learning amid global changes of the 21st century

—————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

Three things YOU can do to support the Project… 1) Click the LIKE button below. 2) SHARE this page with others.  3) GIVE a donation → today.  Yes, we totally agree.  No better time than the present.  AND just so you know… NO gift is ever (never ever ever eeehhh-vah!) too big or too small.  Every share and every love offering goes directly towards helping us help raise awareness, inspire others and build a larger, stronger, wiser, more connected community of beings all around the world. This we promise you.  Worth supporting, yes?

About OCG + About Pheonyx + Current Projects + Services to Humanity = ♥

—————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

click the following channels to learn more…

visit the Communities & Causes and Travel Journal pages for latest updates!

Spirit Science

proud Member of the Matador Network Community and the Spirit Science Council

—————————————————————————————————–——————————————–
 
Leave a comment

Posted by on May 10, 2012 in by Pheonyx (Articles), Travel

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

“The Perfect of Perfect Expressions of You” by Pheonyx Roldan Smith

08 Jan


“The Perfect of Perfect Expressions of You” by Pheonyx Roldan Smith

forever is now
it’s time to fly soon
i love you dearly
and i thank you for you
i love you dearly, truly and true
i love to see how with such wisdom you grew
and keep growing and sowing and sharing it too.

i love you so dearly with a heart newer than new
i love you so sweetly and kindly and courageously too.
because i know it’s the same love of the me that is you.

and one day we’ll stand and look back at the view
and wonder how we ever forgot that we knew,
despite clue after clue after clue after clue buried
deep in our hearts and in the funny feets of our shoes…
reminders that all life is simply a journey on through.

sometimes we crawl, sometimes we walk or run too
sometimes we swim, sometimes fly all the way to the moon,
for the purpose of seeing the perfection of what’s true
whether black or of white or of crimson or blue,
your body and heart and mind simply the tools
to expand what may yet to be seen but is known
as the perfect of perfect of perfect
expressions of you.

—————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

inspired by Dr. Seuss and the following beautiful piece…

—————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

If you like this page, please share it with others.  Also, please take this moment to make a donation today so that we may continue to help and inspire others around the world.  Click the “Donate” button to support the Project today.  Thank you so much for being here!

About OCG + About Pheonyx + Current Projects + Services to Humanity = ♥

—————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 8, 2012 in by Pheonyx (Poetry/Prose), Story Time

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

“Happy Birthday to We! Happy Birthday to We! Happy Birthday, Dear O’hhhhh… C’eeeeeee… G’eeeeee-eeee…!” by Pheonyx Roldan Smith

29 Nov

“So, what does ‘OCG’ stand for?”  people often ask me when referring to this website, theOCGproject.com.  A simple question with a simple answer really…

“OCG” stands for “On Common Ground”, the original name of the website when it was launched back in 2007.  Formerly, On-Common-Ground.com started out as a simple blog.  My blog.  Just when blogging was beginning to take off.   In fact, at the time of this writing I am reminded that the OCG website enters its 5th year this very month with its first article posted on November 6th, 2007.  Feels like forever ago in many ways.

I really had no idea what I was about to do with it, or even where it was going to take me.  But I listened to that VERY PERSISTANT still small voice within that kept saying… “Write.  Share what you can with whomever you can.  Much more is coming, and it’s important that you write.”

And so, I said YES.

That was the day On Common Ground (OCG) was born and I lost my “virginity” to the world of blogospheres.  OCG served as one part experiment in writing for a broader more public audience in the growing arena of spiritual consciousness.  But it was also an experiment of me putting my self, and the many sides of it, on display for the purpose of deeper exploration and expansion.  It was an experiment in both joy and terror.  Full transparency in the sharing of some really challenging lessons that were coming my way in this school of Life.  I could, you know… literally feel it coming.  In my bones.   In my soul.  And so, off the cliff I jumped in order to find the flow.

As I began to do more and more work in the realms of spirituality and energy work, I was experiencing a full on de-construction of the world I once knew all around  as well as within me… well, the world according to my mind at least.

Everything began to flip on its head, which is pretty much the standard practice in the early stages of the “waking up” process.  And that’s exactly what I had been experiencing… a waking up to greater truths about both my earthbound little self and the bigger one that I was coming into a higher awareness about, and how it all connects to my life purpose and plan here on this planet.

I believe many of you will agree with me when I say the shit has been hitting the proverbial fan of human consciousness in a huge way these past several years.   And many of us have been rewriting our own scripts in terms of how we want to live in the world… on this planet… on this common ground we all walk upon.

Thus a place, a virtual world in some ways but a very real and tangible one in others, was born where I could both record and share so much of what was coming through.  And on November 6th 2007, the first step of what would be one of the most astounding legs of an already very interesting journey began with the posting of my first article, “Where the Elephant Wants To Go”,  which set the tone for the rest of the journey and signified my own readiness and willingness to step in the greater unknown.

The elephant, a symbol of great strength, wisdom, knowledge, deep memory and strong connection to the Earth represents the greater unknown which I was yet to discover.

And yet, I also knew on another level that this journey was not to be my own.  I realized even then that there were literally hundreds, if not thousands, of beings with whom I would be coming into contact who were on the same or similar journey.  And  also, that this “something” was really just the beginning of a whole new world as it begins to open up to all of us.

The energies of the Universe have been aligning themselves to support a major transition slated for all the beings on this planet, not withstanding the expansion of the very planet itself.  For several years even before 2007, I could feel that something was about to happen, and whatever it is was, it was coming fast and was going to affect everyone on the planet as a whole.

Since that time, the elephant of change, growth and expansion has been leading the charge full-force.  Since that time, much more information and a greater number of conversations about the future of humanity has been coming out into the mainstream via books, film, documentaries… you name it.  Since that time, there has been a massive increase in social, political and even geological unrest.  And since 2007, my own purpose and way of being in the world has expanded into something much bigger than I could have ever imagined.  Also, since then, this website has shifted from being just another blog for me to process my own journey of awakening to what I hope to be is a resource of helpful and inspiring articles and media information from various sources for fellow seekers who are on a similar journey.

“So, what IS ‘the Project’ itself?” people often ask me next.

“That’s a really good question, indeed…” I often reply with a tossed up grin falling somewhere between the person asking the great Creator.  On one level, I like to think the Project is simply the next stage of evolution for whatever “all this” is.  Like everything, it’s a singular point with multiple parts.  But here’s what I can best surmise at the present moment for you…

PART ONE is the story of evolution of my own journey through life from growing up adopted, gay, catholic and eldest son of a military family to become first a financial planner, then restauranteur, then antiques dealer, then interior designer, to eventually spiritual teacher, healer, occasional poet and roaming gypsy traveler.  Sometimes through writing articles such as this.  Sometimes through poetry which, through often no provocation of my own, just streams through me in powerful and life-affirming ways when the time is right.  Sometimes through video work.  But no matter what the form, it’s as truthful and real and authentic as I know how to be.

PART TWO explores the journey of people in community by exploring and sharing the experiences of living and participating in intentional and consciously evolving communities, primarily through volunteer work exchange opportunities around the country and very soon around the world. Recent documented experiences include living in and directing a holistic healing center in the spiritually-based community of Asheville, NC;  volunteering five months in a live/work community and training center called the Omega Institute in upstate NY; and taking a leap to explore and document gypsy-style communal living for several weeks with a group of traveling emissaries of light and love referred to as The Dharma Bums, as they traveled from Vermont to Florida offering service work, playing music, cooking together, and sharing time and talents as we are hosted by friends and communities along the way.

PART THREE of the “holy trinity” includes the journey of the collective on the planet, our dear Mother Earth, and our direct connection and interaction with it.  Through travel, service work and the ancient art of grand exploration, our intention is to collect, exchange, and record stories and conversations with others from all parts of the world with whom we all share space and time with in a world-wide community.  Through our exploration, we plan to ask and also attempt to answer many of the questions that are being asked about how personal, spiritual and even global economic and geo-political stresses are affecting humanity and how we live in, on and around this living planet today.  And more importantly, who are the people and communities on the leading edge of change already addressing the problems with real and tangible solution for living in peace and harmony with the planet, her resources, and each other today.


The question to ask is… How are all the issues shifting and changing the world we inhabit and stewarding?  How are humans not only a major part of the problem but also a major source of the solution… if we so choose?  How is the planet as a whole literally “waking up” to the truth that every single thing on the planet is connected to the greater whole more seamlessly than even the greatest of minds ever once thought possible?  Not just between all humans who walk on this common ground we call Earth, but to all the beings that live upon, within and above it as well.  Okay, that’s a few questions to ask, but you get my drift.

These are the parts of the OCG Project that I and many other connected beings are currently exploring in depth… the  individual, the local and the global pieces of the whole.

In qigong (energetic) language, I would refer to these as the internal, external and universal vibrations of cause and effect.  Through the various mediums of written word, photo journalism and film, the Project is an exploration in creative dialogue with beings from all over the planet.  The key is communication and collaboration.  The intention is to allow the Project to continue to evolve into whatever direction is called for in order to expand into a higher and more participative sense of purpose and plan for the greater whole.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.   I especially thank those of you who have been following along the past few years while riding upon the backs of you own elephants of destiny.  And if you just joined us… thank you too for joining us for the ride!

My hope is that, whether old or new to the Project, that you will stick around.  My request is that you will take the time to explore the contents of these pages which have been compiled with much love and attention with the intention of helping provide resources and inspiration for your own path towards awakening.  And if you have received benefit from the many teachings and sharings on these walls, that you would consider not only sharing these resources with others but also supporting the Project with a financial gift, something I like to refer to as “green energy”, so that we may continue to share and expand this work and its presence in the world.

My wish is that we all learn, grow and expand with each other.  That we continue to remember what it truly means to be able to share our individual lives on this very special planet at this very special and unique time in human history.  That we continue to expand in ways of wisdom of how we can share this space in more harmonious ways as a collective body of humans, plants, animals and everything above and in between.  That we continue to shift our awareness towards a greater understanding, appreciation and utilization of the planet’s resources… and one another.

We all sleep, eat, play, laugh, cry, love, learn and stand together on this common ground called planet Earth.  The OCG Project continues to explore all of that which make up the life experience, and so much more that is yet to be revealed as we continue to ride that mighty elephant into the greater unknown.   Please enjoy the ride!

infinitely inspired and eternally grateful for each and everyone one of you,

Pheonyx

—————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

The OCG Awareness Project 365 : One Year. One World. One Purpose.

—————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

If you like this page, please share it with others.  Also, please take this moment to make a donation today so that we may continue to help and inspire others around the world.  Click the link to support the Project today.  Thank you so much for being here!

About OCG + About Pheonyx + Current Projects + Services to Humanity = ♥

—————————————————————————————————–——————————————–

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 29, 2011 in by Pheonyx (Articles), Environment, Humanity, Love, Meet the Mystics, Travel

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Shifting Perspectives to a Higher Field of Sight

13 May

it’s the 12th.  it’s may.  it’s the year 2010 (roman calendar time)  tomorrow is the height of the new moon in Taurus.  so, what does that all mean?  well, probably not much to many of  you.  obvious stated facts, you might be thinking.   but for some of you reading this, it means a great deal more…. energetically/metaphysically/spiritually, even mystically speaking.

Himalayan Moonrise by swamysk.

and for a few others, there may be a resonance in that statement that underlies an interesting “feeling” that it DOES mean something more, but you’re just not quite sure or clear on what that feeling is or even what it might mean.   it’s like being given a package that you’ve been told contains something REALLY good, something you will probably like very very much, but for right now you are only allowed to hold it…  not quite allowed t0 open it just yet.

for me personally… well, let’s just say that the new moon cycles tend to “ramp things up” for me energetically speaking.  so, what does that mean, you ask?  well, let’s just also say the my connection to everything that “IS” becomes stronger, more palpable…  and my work with students, clients and even on myself seems to flow much easier, clearer and often much deeper and more intense than usual.

those also close to me see how my physical energy level is often significantly affected.  everything begins to buzz with activity… my mind, my body and certainly my Spirit.  it’s akin feeling like a little kid with unabated giggly laughter and energy.  i know some of y’all can relate to THAT statement!    i can be that way outside of the full and new moon cycles, of course, but this is like turning up the volume in a way.  it’s an interesting and fun phenomenon for me to perceive from within looking out, and based on the reaction i get from others, it can be quite amusing to observe from out there as well.

but it hasn’t always been this way.  though not a stranger to feeling the effects of the Full Moon hanging big and fat in the air no matter what the season, i’ve only really noticed this significant shift into deeper levels of understanding and consciousness around the New Moon cycles just within the last eight to nine months.  and as much as it is a joy to be in that state of connectedness and flow, it has taken some time for my physical body to adjust to what i sometimes refer to as the “moon marathon” of go-go-go,  applying the increased energy levels in healthy, fun ways.  as best i can atleast.

for those of you who know personally of what i speak  here,  you know the feeling.  it’s not an all to rare event for those who work in the energetic fields of mind/body/spirit healing or psychic mediums.  it can best be described as simply a pure connection to both Source (cosmic) and Earth energy fields.

some laugh and look at me with that, “what the heck have you been smokin?” look on their faces… followed with the ever-amusing  “i’ll have what he’s having” commentary from time to time.  when asked why i’m in such a good mood or where i get all my energy, i simply tell them the Truth…

“well, it’s just Pure Source Energy and this pure connection to all of  Life is my elixir… my peace pipe, if you will.  and it’s open to anyone and everyone, but it takes work to connect with the Flow of  Life on its own cycles.  there’s a lot of undoing and removing of  internal road blocks that typically keep people from being able to feel the Flow, except for few and short-lived moments.  i’ve done and continue to do my work, and this is one of the major rewards.”

i often get that look again along side a crooked smile and an “uh-huhhh… well, okay then.”   (LOL)  i don’t mind.  it’s kinda funny in a way, because i see myself in just about eveyone i meet.  i remember when i didn’t really understand it quite fully either.  i mean, i had read about it, heard about it, maybe even had a sense about it.  but  it’s like fishing or sailboating or jumping out of a plane or something…  you just won’t be able to fully understand it until you’ve had the chance to fully experience it beyond books, thoughts or brief encounters.

but i also know that this Pure Energy is not mine to hold.  i mean really,  how do you hold back a cosmic river in full flow??  well yes, i suppose i could try to dam it up,  hold onto it, and attempt  keep it and apply to my own very specific needs, wants or desires.   but i also Know that the gift of connecting to an unlimited supply of  Universal feel-goodness is not meant to be stifled and contained… and that’s why they call it “Being in the Flow”.   Read the rest of this entry »

 
1 Comment

Posted by on May 13, 2010 in by Pheonyx (Articles), Health & Healing, Meet the Mystics, Mindfulness

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

To Be a Kid Again

21 Feb

Written by Pete Morrow for Matador Volunteer

Originallly Posted: 06 Jan 2009 09:36 AM CST

My name is Pete Morrow, but most people just called me Pedro by the end of my two months in Peru. I couldn’t tell you why I chose Peru over all the other projects offered, but to be honest, I don’t think it gets much better than South America.

I am originally from Vermont. I did some volunteer work in high school, but always had an interest in volunteering abroad. That said, after high school I found that college wasn’t an immediate interest of mine, but travel definitely was.

By some random fluke of luck, Projects Abroad came to my school senior year and offered a good opportunity to go somewhere and do something cool. I won’t lie, it did put a dent in my financial status…but you will soon realize it’s worth it when you get picked up from the airport with a friendly smile.

After you’ve had a five or six hour layover in Lima airport, tried sleeping on every bench, and realized that no one is speaking English anymore, you may be freaking out a little bit. Knowing that somebody from Projects Abroad is waiting to pick you up in Cusco is a relief.

Peru is pretty sweet for a couple reasons… Read the rest of this entry »

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on February 21, 2009 in Live, Laugh, Love

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Transparent Unkown

06 Feb

 Transparent Butterfly by Y3MBailey.

photo by Y3MBailey

I am going to be very real here, and lay it all out.  I feel the need to be very transparent.  There’s a shift that is occurring in me which is, for lack of a better word, pushing against ALL my buttons.  I have been and continue to just “BE with it”.   I am trying not to analyze, or over analyze it.    This process over the course of the past couple of months definitely brought up some very real fears in me.   Illusions built upon my ego’s own self-made understanding of the world.  Things that in my heart of hearts I know not to be true.  But I had to make the shift from reason to reality in Truth through this very process.

A few weeks ago I saw the movie, Slumdog Millionaire.  First off… Wow!  Wow, wow, wow.  Simply amazing!   If you haven’t seen it, go see it.  If you are ”on the path”, DEFINITELY go see it!  You will know why I say that only after you’ve seen it.  Watch it with open eyes, heart and mind.  It will speak to you.   That’s all I’m going to really say about it for right now.  But the reason I bring it up is because the question of ones Destiny is the running theme throughout the film… in Love, in Life, in the Journey.

That movie stirred a lot up in me.  A LOT.   Some things that have already been swirling about for a greater portion of my life, to say the least.   Other things that have been stirred up more recently with recent new realizations about myself, my priorities and my purpose.

What IS destiny?  Read the rest of this entry »

 
4 Comments

Posted by on February 6, 2009 in by Pheonyx (Articles), Live, Laugh, Love, Travel

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Falling Away of the o’ L’il Me (Part II)

08 Jan

  Mount Fuji by photosapience.

photo by photosapience

 

 

I’ve been following the recent writings and expressions of new personal awakenings of one of those new friends of my mine, Ariel Bravy, on his blog , You are Truly Loved.  Ariel has been writing with a fiery fervency that has often made me think to myself, “Hey, I need to be writing more, too!”   But I would quickly realize that that was my ego trying to get the best of me through my former competitive nature.   As quickly as the emotion would rise, I would quickly release it and enjoy what lessons and learnings Ariel had to offer on a daily basis.  

 

One of the things I recognize is that Ariel writes with such a sweet honesty and a sense of awe at each new self-discovery.  It reminds me so much of my own moments of self-remembering when the thin veils of illusion and disillusion dropped to reveal the most pure and perfect sleepless Self.  The One that is, was, has always been beyond time and beyond this experience.

 

I appreciate those peaceful moments of clarity in that space of unaffected perfect Love and Acceptance, for I now clearly recognize that “I” place at which I originated and  the “No I” place to which I will return, when my journey here is done.  However, I also know that I am is exactly where I have chosen to be in this lifetime.   And that has been the new challenge… the opportunity for greater spiritual knowing and  personal self discovery… at THIS point in THIS lifetime.

 

Currently I am drawn to a very specific model of existence in this world of the ”Silent Observer” of the people and places in my day to day encounters as of late.   ESPECIALLY over the 2008 holiday season!  That was truly very interesting and fun.   And those who have known me well over the years know that “silent” is not typically a word that would best describe me in the past.    But it can happen!  And does more and more often these days as my own awareness of self and others has expanded so exponentially.   Which too is why Read the rest of this entry »

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 8, 2009 in by Pheonyx (Articles), Live, Laugh, Love

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

← Older posts
 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 1,188 other followers

%d bloggers like this: