The Blue Pearl Trilogy

 (Photo by Eberhard Grossgasteiger) Figure 97.   Etude Ian: What is ‘beyond memory’? Me: Peace exists in the human mind; yet, its experience is as unique as each individual. However, peace is not perfection in what we or others may think, say or do. Nature is perfect in that it is. We all strive for peace—it's the essence of our life’s purpose—beyond memory.

(Photo by Dziana Hasanbekava) Figure 96.   Guide Ian:  Why is truth in between? Me: Truth is known individually and collectively. Deceit obscures truth, so it’s up to each of us to discern, in between the lies. Truth is feeling. Proving it to Self is the learning process of being human. The willingness to share our truth with others is the essence of change. We are as individual as we are infinite.

(Photo by Benjamin Farren) Figure 86.   Syzygy Ian: What is meant by men as actuators and women receivers? Me : Life comes from and is sustained by the combined energies of feminine and masculine—remembrance of the unique spiritual and physical attributes of men and women. Ian: How does this play out in today’s society? Me : It’s up to each individual to determine Self, spouse, family, education, career path and financial management. This is the definition of freedom. Ian: Why do you use the term spouse? Me : Marriage is an important institution spiritually, emotionally, and physically. It’s a safe haven of support and expression. It requires commitment and perseverance, especially preparing children as contributors to, rather than consumers of society.

(Photo by Chris John) Figure 84.   Ravaged Ian: What lead you to state, “Rape is an economic reality?” Me: It’s based on my experience of not being able to get a job for twelve years despite working steadily for the previous twenty five. Ian: What changed? Me: I’d been single for many years. So, when I spent time with one individual, most people assumed it was intimate. It occurred to me later this was an important factor, if not the overriding reason, I was hired. Ian: Why use the term ‘rape’? Me: When one has to be seen as sexually active to get a job, it means sex is used as a bargaining chip for economic survival. This is coercion. (Photo by Denitsa Kireva) Figure 85.   Purloin Ian: Was this individual the one? Me: No. And, I knew it at the time, so we were not intimate. Ian: What happened? Me: He appeared to be in similar circumstances and kept asking me to go with him hither and yon. I cooked dinner to repay the essentials he bought for me. Months later, I was ...

(Photo by Trace Hudson) Figure 82.   Arising Ian: What has changed in your life? Me: I’ve learned to listen to my Self rather than others about who I am by forming new habits of awareness. Ian: What new habits? Me: The first notion of awareness has proved to be the most useful. It’s the daily practice of reflecting on my rote responses, assessing the value of those interactions, then gauging its instinctual effect. Two main questions serve this purpose: “Was my initial reaction to the situation uplifting or downcast?” “Did I leave the interaction in a ripple or a wake?” Ian: Why do you think this took 15 years? Me: I made a lifetime of decisions based on how I interpreted other's view of me. They were not made from a position of self-worth. It took a long time to break this habit. (Photo by Eberhard Grossgasteiger) Figure 83.   Profound Ian: Has this helped? Me: Yes. I’ve been able to observe others in my sphere who have self-esteem. And, No. Until recently observati...

(Photo by Eberhard Grossgasteiger) Figure 81.   Transmutable Ian: How long did it take you to write The Blue Pearl Trilogy? Me: 15 years. Ian: Wow. Why so long? Me: I had to change in order to write about change. Ian: Why did you write The Blue Pearl Trilogy? Me: To share what I’ve learned person-to-person. Ian: Why so persistent? Me: I write to heal. The thought I might be able to help others do the same hasn’t gone away from day one.

(Photo by Mark Neal) Figure 80.   Authentic Ian: * Is it true you never lie? Me: Now there's a loaded question! I’m as honest as I currently know how to be with myself and others throughout each day. Ian:  How does that work? Me: I’m not responsible for what other’s say or do; therefore, I’m not obligated to speak or respond to them when I’ve learned they aren’t interacting with me on the basis of mutual respect. Ian:  How long does this take? Me: It depends. I’ve tested my theory of put-downs long enough to know it’s unwise to ignore these ‘red flags’; thus, it doesn’t take long to discern if this is their regular mode of communicating. Once known, I assess their relationship to me as spouse, family, friend, colleague, acquaintance, or stranger. Then I decide the parameters of my interactions with them.