Dearest Rowers,
I’d like to begin this note by saying that I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to explain myself, ever. With that being said, I want to thank you for reading these words and considering it important enough to invest your time in connecting to the reason that this mission exists in the first place.
Sacred Row was born, first from a place of personal expression. It was a creative vision that took my imagination by storm and demanded enough of my attention to merit a visual representation and a unique attitude that could carry the essence of what I had seen. The vision was this; all of us; every single one of us, is in the same boat. No matter how far out or in I zoomed my lens of perspective, I couldn’t help but see “everybody” in that space, figuring things out, together. This, I have learned, is a very broad vision and it is one that requires a lot of context in order to make much out of it, let alone a successful business that holds true to its integrity, virtue and reason for existing.
In this vision, not only are we in the same boat, but we are traversing the same ocean in that boat. Now we all know that storms come and go and seasons change as consistently as the wind blows and so considering this, I established the first motivating quest[ion] for Sacred Row to explore; if we are all truly in the same boat together, where is it that we are trying to go? This question is the primary fuel source that drives the evolving vision of Sacred Row. As consistently as I have sat in circles with diverse human beings who are practicing the nuanced art of honouring themselves while offering consideration and reverence to the forces beyond themselves, I have seen reflections of this vision playing out before my very eyes. Time and time again, I have found myself marveling at the mysterious process that takes place when a group of “strangers” gets together and intends to do their “work” and clear the blockages that seem to be preventing pure presence from sustaining itself harmoniously and without interruption. Again, I ask…where are we trying to go?
If it is possible to discern a collective destination for our shared journey; to come up with any kind of answer to this motivating question, then the secondary motivation instantaneously becomes; how can we go about getting there? In several years of sitting in ceremony after ceremony, deep conversation after deep conversation; breakthrough after breakthrough; I have recognized something of an indescribable pattern of progress. If you would be so kind, I would love to describe what I’ve recognized anyhow. From my personal experience, I have learned that when people come together with a purpose, committed to the discovery of their own path, and they go about the walking of that path inside of the same vehicle as others who are doing the same, one way or another, we all get exactly where we’re trying to go, whether we recognize it as such in the immediate moment or not.
To put it more simply, Sacred Row was born as a vision and then constructed to support the process of everyone working together to achieve a common mission.
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When I first decided to pick up my oar, I looked at my life and thought to myself, “what do I have to offer this vision?” I’ve guided many yoga practices, meditations and ceremonies of an eclectic variety. I’ve built and broken enough relationships to fill an encyclopedia of personal experiences in learning the hard way. I’ve done a lot of listening and definitely even more talking. And from all of this, I can tell you that the simplest and most powerful thing that I have to offer another being, is love. I began here and started to creatively invest my spirit into the colours, shapes and sequences of a business that would represent a growing community of people learning to move in the same direction. It has not been easy. Over the course of the early stages of this mission, no amount of good intention has successfully eradicated the presence of obstacles, unexpected sensitivities and the need to adapt to a constantly fluctuating culture. Every single determination has been tested. Some immediately and others tirelessly. Upon the precipice of 3 years out to sea, Sacred Row has very clearly cultivated its own versions of resiliency, compassion and joy upon its board. There are so many memories that resound from the walls of this vessel that consistently remind me of the potential that I first brushed against when this began. There has been an equally consistent need for love to rise above the challenges of each moment and reverberate against itself loudly enough to be heard in between the noise and calamity of the trials of our age.
In three years at the helm of this ship, I have learned a few very important things. I want to share these with you because here and now, as I write this note, these lessons and qualities have risen to the forefront of my earnest commitment to uphold the appropriate virtue so as to make this vision; to support the creative journey towards and the safe arrival upon the shores of our shared destiny, as empowered and enhanced by my efforts as is within my capacities.
Firstly, I have learned that every single being that has gotten aboard this ship, whether it be for one ceremony, one dance, one moment or the whole journey thus far, has something unique, legitimate and valuable to say, share and offer to others. This is why, when we sit together at Sacred Row, we sit in a circle, and we go around together.
Secondly, I have learned that in life, having a great idea and a lot of passion can bring a mission forward a long way but it also isn’t enough to override the necessary ebb and flow of the personal experience that comes with the responsibility associated with living a life. This is why the most important virtue at the head of Sacred Row is commitment; I am committed to the continual offering of this space and the maintenance of its integrity for the beneficial integration of all travelers of life and death, including myself, my closest and dearest companions and those that I meet along the way, during the dancing tide of personal change that confronts and challenges me. My commitment is my bond to this boat, and this boat is one that I serve with honour and love.
Thirdly, I have learned that creativity is a natural and constant channel that flows through the world of relationships and this is something that can be acknowledged as deeply as it can be practiced, mastered or aligned with. So much can be accomplished and celebrated through the simplest act of acknowledgement…a word of recognition at someone's small mental victory; a moment of silence held in respect to the process that is being exercised by a fellow traveler; a moment to claim accountability for a thought, and direct a deep and humble wish towards the earth, the sky, the universe…all of these are but a few examples of profound and truly impactful acknowledgements that deliver the same weight as a creative practice or a demonstration of mastery. Life is created. It is powerful to acknowledge this.
Lastly, I have learned that when a few people link their hearts together in commitment and acknowledgement, the journey becomes exponentially more fun, beautiful, powerful, brilliant, challenging, holy, meaningful, possible, joyful, accepting, growth-oriented, resilient, compassionate, healing and loving.
Given these learnings and the many ways that haven’t been mentioned here, the many more that are certain to arise continually as the future reveals its ways and the countless lessons that exist inside of the complete unknown, it is with my most sincere gratitude that I share this vision with you. This boat was made for you. For you to come and explore the journey of life and death. The journey of self. To do so with an epic community that is always changing and that is always together. To all of those that have infused this mission with your time, your energy, your spirit…I thank you so much. Thank you for caring. Thank you for trying. Thank you for believing. Thank you for coming and thank you for going. Thank you for returning and thank you for walking your own path. I have realized that I have returned to this land so that I could serve this boat once again, as I always have, as I always will. To you my fellow traveler of the way, I offer you my love. I offer you my Row. My Sacred Row.
Row row row your boat, gently down the stream…
Life is but a dream…
Yogiji
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