Two Birds, One Pair — Exploring Becoming & Belonging’s Repeated Process

Dana and I walked last night. High above, two crows huddled. Or maybe one pair. I loved the silhouette feel against the late sky blue.

Recently I was in conversation with a fellow Wanderer. We were exploring what is common across the Becoming & Belonging Sessions. We were finding clarity together, about the intent to connect more of the inner with the outer. And about seeing in wholes (one pair, not two birds…).

I named these three commonalities or B & B process:

1. We Pay Attention — this is the most consistent of invocations among consciousness traditions, isn’t it. Mary Oliver starts with “Pay attention” in her Instructions For Living A Life. Pay attention to what is nudging for your attention. Create an attentive field in yourself, and with others. Create attentive relationships that are known for their attentive ways. Perhaps there is more than randomness to such attentive practice that has a way of organizing us.
2. We Notice — to notice is really an invitation to explore, to be curious. To dwell in the attentive state. Not working too hard with meaning making. Not forcing. Rather, letting it come as if a stream, readily continuous, refreshing your feet on a hot day.
3. We Connect Inner + Outer — this is so much the work. It matters less where we begin, whether inner or outer. Both will point to each other. And it matters less that we get it all. Rather, it matters that we start somewhere, that we develop the habit of legitimizing this connection. Alan Watts wrote, “we recognize the illusion of distinct selves.” One pair. This is the direction that attentiveness can move us, perhaps wants to move us.

My fellow Wanderer and I continued, arriving at an alchemical understanding.

Processes like these — to pay attention, to notice, to connect inner and outer — well this changes the being of who we are. Individually. And together. The outcome of the moment may matter to some degree, but this change in our being and in our seeing and in our perceiving (one pair, not two birds) — well this is what I so wish for as a human navigating the many stories of purpose.

On it goes. I like the work of alchemy in me and with others.