Research on Druidry Week 4, Reflections of Awen

According to the Black Mountain Druid Order (BMDO), "The Awen is the divine inspiration that brings balance."

Last week I reflected on my research into Awen over the course of the first 4 weeks of the BMDO course in Druidry.

What I learned was a new vocabulary, new ways to express feelings I already had. I've started to learn, quite late in my life, that to be truly happy, I must enjoy the little things; I cherish my first cup of coffee in the morning, the warmth of my dog laying quietly on my lap, the gentle embrace of Sunna (the Sun) in the morning. Life is a string of little events, and if you can find happiness in them as well as the larger events, I think that's the simplest strategy to a happy life. For me the little things are Awen.

In the context of Druidry, the natural world is a big source of Awen , and underlies all the little things that I embrace every day. The wind in the trees, the green of a leaf, the scent of the earth, or the light dancing on the ice, these are Awen. 

I feel that if we are seeking the divine, then we can't confine that search to our handful of deities (or whatever you believe), divinity surrounds us, permeates us. Some posit that the goal of their faith is to seek to emulate the divine, and to perhaps one day reach that level of awareness or state of being. Others feel that we can only experience the divine, and will never attain it. Many would say that we are in fact divine ourselves and only need recognize that fact. Perhaps.

Whatever the case is, I believe that divinity surrounds us, and that in addition to our gods and goddesses, we have the natural world, and everyday events that make up the fabric of our lives. 

In all of these, we can seek the divine, if we care to look.

---

Read Eoghan's Latest Book - Northern Wisdom

Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen. Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format. Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages. In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers. In Northern Wisdom you will: Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen Learn Maxims for respectable conduct Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests Tap into the power of Viking Magic

Buy directly from Eoghan's Createspace E-Store and save 25%

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.

---

www.createspace.com/3451960 Save 25%! Use Code: DLMW384R		www.createspace.com/3777299 Save 25%! Use Code: DLMW384R		Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook

Research on Druidry - Week 3, Seeking the Awen

Week 3 - Moon Path Reflection: Seeking Awen

From the Week 3 Course Notes

"In the Moon Path, we seek the inspiration of the Awen by striking a balance between opposing forces in our lives. Earlier we talked about the Rational Mind and the Emotional Mind. Finding the balance between these two forces would be the way to achieve Wise Mind.

Think about any opposing forces you find struggling within you. These should be forces within yourself, not within others. For example, you may have a problem with a friend or family member. You cannot control the behaviors of others; you can only choose to react or to respond to what others say and do to you. When you find yourself conflicted on which path to take in such a situation, it is time to seek the balance of the Awen."

Think about two of your inner forces, or energies, that need balance and reconciliation. Describe these energies to yourself, using as much detail as possible. If it helps, make notes.

"2 energies I struggle with constantly, are the opposing forces of positive praise and negative criticism. As an author, I try to connect with people so I can educate them about my passions and research, and at the same time learn from them and grow. This brings great rewards, but I also get a share of negativity from folks who have very different opinions than mine - given that I write about culture & spirituality, people can be quite passionate in their positions, and in many cases probably don't realize how mean and angry they are coming off. Or is it just my perception?"

Intellectually, I try to understand where they are coming from so I can gain understanding, but emotionally, I feel as though these are personal attacks, and I can get quite anxious and angry, and then want to lash out in self-defense. I suppose these boil down to self-confidence.

Once you feel that you are clear on the nature of these two opposing energies, do the meditation below.

Basic Mindfulness Video

Now that you have completed the meditation, think about your opposing energies again. Do you feel more able to find balance after meditating?

I was a bit revved up prior to the meditation after some negative interaction with a person I know, but almost immediately during the meditation I was able to slow right down and "take myself out of the river and sit on the bank". It was very liberating.


What does the Awen mean to you?

From what I've read so far, the Awen is that awe you can feel in many different ways, I've felt it stroking my warm dog on my lap, I've felt the awen sitting under the trees on a warm summer day, and then hearing a breeze rustle through the leaves while a cool wind followed to refresh me. I've felt the awen when I saw my son smile, heard my wife laugh, or read something inspiring. To me the awen is profound, but simple, rare, yet commonplace. It's appreciating the divinity in life's little moments as well as the grand ones.

What are the forces in your life that are seeking balance?

My struggle is one of perception and assumption. I need to learn to balance my perception of events, and not make assumptions; I suppose it's also a balance of emotion versus intelect.

How have you/can you seek the Awen and attain balance?

I'm hoping that by seeking the awen more deliberately, I'll be in a more relaxed and balanced frame of mind, more able to make the correct emotional versus intelectual assessment of the situation at hand.