Altered States, Imaginal Realms & Co-Becoming with Dr Maya Ward

Today’s subject matter is so slippery and mysterious that even my guest, Dr Maya Ward, finds it hard to describe, though she’s swimming in it. It concerns the aliveness of rivers and the rivers inside us; the nature of reality and realms invisible yet objectively real. It’s about catching the whispers and shouts of the world with pen and paper. It’s shamanic, ecstatic and emphatically esoteric. It’s bloody wild – and I suggest bringing your passport because the places this convo will take you are far out. But also, deep within. If you love all things complex, paradoxical and perspective-shifting, I dedicate this episode to you 🙌After we recorded, Maya sent this thoughtful epilogue:We are innately of the world, yet we are also this witness consciousness, experiencing separation. Forgetting, then remembering. “Inside human beings is where God learns”, said Rilke. Does separation itself create the possibility of learning? In my exhibition, on the wall, I have a quote from Robert Bringhurst: “Language is not for talking about the world – that's for dilettantes. Language is for talking with the world.” I wish I'd said that.***Support Reskillience on Patreon!***🧵ThreadsA new old way to introduce ourselvesOriginal meanings of yin and yangThe right ratio between humans and more-than-humanThe role of the artist and poetEcstatic and mystical experiences in natureBuilding beauty and vernacular architectureWhere a lack of trust in the system takes youInitiated vs. uninitiated ways of beingSmall, potent workThird wheeling the love affair between sun and earthAltered state workThe imaginal realmSufi mysticismThe danger of unwitnessed initiationAutomatic/shamanic writingReclaiming ‘esoteric’Acknowledgement of Country spellcasting🧙‍♀️LINKY POOSMaya Ward’s home on the webMaya’s events, workshops & exhibitionsMaya’s book: The Comfort of WaterNature Based Leadership TrainingCERESWilliam WordsworthTyson YunkaportaHenri CorbinCarl JungRudolf SteinerPlatoWouter Jacobus HanegraaffGregory BatesonBook: Songspirals ~ Gay’wu Group of WomenAlfred North Whitehead