The TRIBES Project is dedicated to multi-cultural perspectives and representation through the performing arts.  They produce evocative original works and adaptations as forums for open discussion of race, culture, and issues of the human condition. 

The TRIBES Project performances have been experienced live by over 55,000 people world-wide: from Washington State, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia in the Pacific Northwest, to across the globe in Mexico, England, Kosovo, and South Africa. 

The TRIBES Project brings together diverse groups of people to create performances that empower them to understand the complexity of race and cultural issues through the solidarity of an ensemble production process. 

The TRIBES Members research, write, and perform their original and adapted productions for audiences of all races and backgrounds.  Their mission is to help us to discover the complexity of our differences...as well as the power of our unity.  Find out more about this truly cool organization and...Create And Be The Change!

http://www.tribesproject.org

"You don't have to destroy every cloud to see the sky.  All you have to do is keep remembering you are the sky."

Bartholomew

Before We Get To "Living The Authentic Life"...

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had a compass to guide you through the rough spots or to help you make difficult decisions in your life?

What if you had a magic compass that always pointed you in the right direction?

Well, guess what?  You do!

Author and Coach Kathleen Spike has developed a system titled, "Facing True North: Navigating Life By Your Values Creates Your Success", which will help you to discover your "built in compass" to guide you in the right direction, your "true north" to keep you on a steady, fulfilling and authentic course. 

Access this valuable system...absolutely Free here:

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Also...

The Online Course: "Discovering Your Authentic Self" was created to help you to develop a greater sense of self-awareness and is like having your very own life coach for personal development. 

The course is designed to find genuine life purpose through the development of self-identity.  It is a wonderful tool for finding inner peace and happiness.  Enjoy it Free here:

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Plus...

Let Angie Lay lead you on a path to opening your eyes to the endless possibilities available for the taking.  Access the remarkable Ecourse: "5 Keys To Grabbing Life By The Reins: The Lessons We Wish We Had Learned In School"....absolutely Free here:

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And...

In today's consumer driven world, many people find themselves living with a deep sense of disconnection from self as they desparately try to live up to the expectations of friends, family, and society as a whole. 

In the powerful recorded audio by Best-Selling Author Dr. Topher Morrison titled, "How To Live An Authentic Life In A Inauthentic World", you will explore how to get past the allure of this illusive life path so that you can begin living your own personal truth.

In Dr. Morrison's audio recording, you will learn the following:

• How to avoid the standards of perfection that keep you playing small in the world.
• How to stop chasing other people's dreams and start chasing your own.
• Why self honesty is the best policy.

Receive this very powerful recording...absolutely Free here:

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Also...

Receive The Awesome Special Report By Donna Warren titled, "Living Without Lies: Discover The Real You"...absolutely Free here:

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Plus...

Being Authentic Means...

• Being honest with yourself about who you are and who you aren't.
• Communicating your genuine story to others.
• Making sure everyone in your organization understands it and can deliver on it.

Trouble is, it's not easy to look at yourself objectively.  Your business is your baby, and you can't easily see what's truly there because you'll always look at it as your creation.

You need an outside source, a guide to discovering who you are as others see you.

Receive the remarkable Ebook by authors Bill Guertin and Andrew Corbus titled, "15 Ways To Be More Authentic In Your Work"...absolutely Free here:

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Lastly...

"Getting Ego On Your Side" by Nan Akasha is an audio course with activations and visualizations for talking to Ego and joining forces with your Ego and your Higher Self. 

Receive This Intriguing Audio Course From Nan Akasha...absolutely Free here:

http://tinyurl.com/4zthwh

"Awakening is not attainment.  It is not something you strive for and can achieve like you do most things in life.  Awakening, aka realizing your True Nature, can only happen when all striving stops.  Realizing who you already are is not finding something new, it is recognizing what has always been and always will be.  And since there is no longer an indentity you believe yourself to be, there is no one that could possibly attain anything."

Aruna Byers

Before I Get To "Living Authentically" An Interesting Quote...

"It is virtually impossible for anyone anchored in duality - including all those of spiritual celebrity status - to teach this Quantum Process. The teacher simply must be in the New Energy and must have walked the path. Second-hand duality-based knowledge and instruction have no place in the New World. Indeed, in the New Energy there are no more clichéd quotations, no more unqualified authorship, no more ego-driven hierarchies or agenda-filled organizations, no more quasi-masters, benighted gurus or duplicitous priests - the blind misleading the blind, and no longer any place to hide and luxuriate for those who are the least evolved... those who appear to be spiritually wise (and even believe themselves to be spiritually wise in some cases), but by New Energy standards are decidedly otherwise. It's all very different now - very, very different. At long last we are moving out of duality's age-old illusion and spiritual subterfuge, and becoming REAL.  

By Allen Stacker

"For the New Age Spiritual Movement to have any relevance in the New Paradigm, the movement must finally break free from the false notion that in order to live a spiritual life, one must "do something" in order to "be something".  The persistent promotion of this false and limiting illusion only serves to continue to separate ourselves from the remembrance of who we already are and who we have always been."

Pamela K. Jones

Now, On To...

Living The Authentic Life

By Pamela K. Jones

"The butterfly is flittering through to say hello...the butterfly...bathed in beauty, uniqueness and delighted in the flow of life.  The butterfly is attracted to beauty also.  But, (while beauty lies in the eye of the beholder), the caterpillar is a rather strange looking creature, so the butterfly only can exhibit it's beauty after it goes through a metamorphosis.  If the butterfly is rescued from enduring the painful experience of struggling out of it's chrysalis, the butterfly will not survive.  The struggle is necessary for it's wings to dry!  So know that you are on your way to being a Being of Beauty!  Struggle, pain, frustration are part of the transformational process of Ascending to living out of your Higher Self."

Lonna Bartley

Being truly authentic, honoring who you really are as opposed to who you want others to believe you to be, living a life that tells the truth of who you really are, how you really feel, that does not engage in pretense, hypocrisy or deception, (of self or otherwise), of any kind, is absolutely vital to living your soul's true purpose.  Authentic Living has no mascarades, no denial, no dishonesty, no intentionally created "illusions" of any kind.  

There is no mask, no pretense, no ego driven need to "keep up appearances" and no "make believe" whatsoever in your game. You are just keeping it 100% real and authentic!  That level of excellence takes heart, courage...and Self Mastery.  It's all about living your truth, coming from THE REAL...and this takes tremendous character and integrity because, in living at this level of truth, authenticity and non-denial, you may not be liked or you may incur great disappointment and resistance from others.    

"Denial is a side effect of cowardice.  Consciousness requires courage."

Jonathan Cainer

It means breaking out of your comfort zone, a place where you enjoy routine, mediocrity and predictability, (which essentially means a boring life with no real and meaningful passion),...and where you cease to truly progress and grow; causing you to become static, frozen, petrified and to resist and cease evolving.  You are essentially a version of "the walking dead" and just going through the motions of what has become your version of "life".  Ultimately, living the authentic life means to cease being controlled predominantly by your Ego aka pride, materialism, status, celebrity, etc. and to live a life of true heart based & authentic excellence, regardless of the opinions of others.   I once saw a definition of the word Ego being the following:

E=Edging  G=God  O=Out

In reality, you can never "Edge God Out" because you are an emanation of God or a part of the Whole, which is God, but the Ego, if given too much control can very easily help you to forget this fact.  This only happens if the Ego is allowed to run the whole show.  In order to align with your Divine Essence, your Source, God, the Christ Consciousness, the Universe, whatever you choose to call it, you must come predominantly from your Heart and not predominantly from your Ego. 

Some would say that this is impossible, that there is an "endless and eternal conflict or struggle with the Ego".  As with every other belief in life, that is only true for you if you choose to create that as your reality.  I do not agree with many New Age, New Thought, Spiritual philosophies which labels the Ego as something to be suppressed, gotten rid of or conquered.  The main reason that I don't support this belief system is because it is asking to do the impossible. The Ego is not meant to be fought, killed, conquered, controlled or expelled.  These are all the antithesis of the higher energy we claim we are seeking to embody.  We cannot claim Wholeness if we dislike, reject or fight even a single part of ourselves.   

I personally believe that the dreaded "Ego" has become a convenient scapegoat or excuse to blame on why we are not measuring up "in our own eyes" as to who we know we truly are, or to rationalize any supposed "mistakes" or "failures" which we may believe we have made.  Just my opinion!  (When we each evolve into the reality that there are truly no such things as "mistakes" or "failures" we will have made a "quantum leap" in our personal evolution.)

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career.  I've lost 300 games.  I've "failed" over and over and over again in my life.  And that is why I succeed."

Michael Jordan - June 21, 1991 - After winning his first NBA Championship

"We succeed when we realize that "failure" is the preparation for victories."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"In the New Paradigm, it will FINALLY be realized that each supposed  "failure" is merely the vitally important practice step that each individual must constantly make in order to achieve ultimate success."

Pamela K. Jones 

*I have included a very cool & interesting writing from Enoch Tan below on this web page regarding Ego.

The Ego ( or Personality) is there to be acknowledged, understood and loved.  It is an equal and necessary part of our Being, as everything about us is equal and necessary.  It is just as PERFECT as the rest of us is, lacking absolutely nothing.  Realizing/Remembering this begins with self love, with the love of our entire self - which includes our Ego.  Loving the many aspects of you, which includes your Ego, does not mean that the Ego continues to control us, run the show, or hold us back.   To understand and love our Ego frees it to be acknowledged and heard.  Once acknowledged and understood and ultimately loved, our Ego can co-exist with every other part of who we are, without continuing to run the whole show. 

It may rear it's head once in a while, but even when that happens, it's no big deal because it's okay, the Higher Self is ultimately running the complete show.  Just look at the Ego part of yourself as the part that makes you "interesting".  It is that intriguing and amusing part of you that keeps you on your toes and on top of your game on your pursuit towards Enlightenment.  It's a valuable player on the team called "You" in addition to being a source of great mystery, surprise, amusement and fun from time to time.  Life would be extremely boring without it!  

I personally love my Ego and yes, it sometimes tries to muscle in and run the show and rears it's head regularly.  My Ego, (which I must admit is pretty dominant...or hadn't you noticed?), is a constant source of amusement and enrichment for me.  It's Sexy & Audacious and  I LOVE IT!  Ego is what convinced me that I could create something that has never been created before and viola...The Secret Wealth Network!  The ultimate question becomes...is your Ego only all about getting for just you and yours OR is your Ego about serving and benefiting many or the Whole?  Whatever the answer, Ego makes life very exciting, interesting and spontaneous...and should be always honored, and never villified or scapegoated! 

"The mark of a truly Conscious & Evolved individual is how much is he or she freely Giving in joyous service to the One aka Humanity."

Pamela K. Jones

Recently, I had been struggling with trying to understand the meaning of living a truly authentic life in relation to my attempting to understand the actions, deeds and behavior of man who is very near and dear to me, someone whom I love and respect with all my heart and soul.  I had developed extreme disappointment and discontent in this individual because I could clearly see that the authentic words that he professed and encouraged others to live by were not the same virtues and beliefs that he himself chose to live by.  I was heartbroken because I respected and revered this individual so much!

"The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness."

Definition for the word "hypocrisy" from Answers.com

"The value of an idea has nothing whatsoever to do with the sincerity of the man who expresses it."

Oscar Wilde

As always, Spirit responded and answered my discontent, and it surprisingly answered me via the following writing which came from a channeling by Master Kuthumi thru South African Channeler Michelle Eloff, read on May 15th. 2008.   To quote Master Kuthumi:

"Wisdom is an aspect of unconditional love.  A wise one knows exactly when to act and never reacts immaturely and by this I mean in both aspects of that word.  The immatureness that I refer to is immaturity on a psychological level and on a spiritual level.  I have spoken before of emotional or psychological immaturity that not only impedes but, often temporarily halts a Lightworker's journey, and perhaps it is important that I mention this again for those of you who have not heard me say this before.

It matters not how advanced anyone is on a spiritual level.  They can be a great teacher, a guru with all the metaphysical, esoteric and spiritual knowledge of the world inside of them, but if they are psychologically immature, what they have intellectually means absolutely nothing.  Psychological and emotional maturity is the central core point of maintaining balance.  It is the core stabilizer of every soul choosing to walk the path of the Spiritual Warrior.  Ignorant Lightworkers are more dangerous than the average ignorant man or woman on the street that knows nothing about metaphysics, esoterics, philosophy or anything else, so bear that in mind.

The Wise Master never nurtures an illusion.

The Wise Master stands and observes and knows precisely when to act, the action being the catalyst to shatter the illusion.  Please bear this in mind for all your days on earth.  No true Wise Master or Being of Light or True Love who walks the authentic path will ever, ever nurture an illusion, yours or anyone else's.  When you feel instinctively inside of yourself something in your life is an illusion or you know you are in denial about something and your guides or whomever it is you are working with encourages you to remain in denial or to nurture that illusion, then you know you are in trouble and best you fire them on the spot, so to speak.  

You are on the pathway to becoming a fully Empowered Soul in human form therefore, every illusion that exists must and will be shattered, you determine how long that process will take.  Step away from situations and people that choose to nurture illusions and honor the truth.  Be the Wise Master and observe if you must, otherwise walk your talk and know that when the time comes for those who nurture the illusion to experience something different and they make the choice to experience something different, their feet will find your path and will call to you and you will be in a position to present them with what they need and they will be in a position to accept your offer.  Do not ever try to convert those who are not ready, you are fighting a losing battle, just be...live your truth...speak it...be it...and everything around you will fall into place." 

Master Kuthumi through Channeler Michelle Eloff

What's interesting to me about this channeling from Master Kuthumi is that it confirmed what I already had discovered and known to be true.  More than anything else, reading this channeling truly confirmed to me my own soul's growth and evolution and the learning and mastering of critical lessons that I came here to learn and to master.  Which is, of course, the purpose of this most perfect experience.  I am also learning a lot in the way of learning unconditional love and compassion for the person who inspired Master Kuthumi to give me this message.  I was very critical, judgmental and disappointed because of all that I suddenly saw that he supposedly lacked.  I felt that "the emperor had no clothes" and I was very judgemental.  See?  There it goes again!  My Ego taking over & trying to make itself heard!  (I still love you, Ego!)

What did I do when Ego made itself heard?  I listened!

By the way...I have coined a NEW, more accurate meaning for the more highly evolved use of our Ego:

E = Embracing  G = God's  O = Omnipotence! 

Listening to my Ego helped me to realize that this beloved person's behavior stemmed from fear, uncertainty, total denial, strong personal and material attachments, and (very surprisingly), a lack of self confidence in himself at the soul level, which in turn, caused him a great deal of personal chaos and unhappiness.  I realized that his world had been literally turned upside down and as a defense mechanism, he had allowed his Ego to totally take over and run the show.  His old self was essentially dying and he was being transformed at a fundamental level, and as each piece of his old life and old truth changed and fell away, his Ego struggled desparately to hold onto these disintegrating pieces for dear life. 

I realized that the best thing that I could do is to not judge him, but to love him and, while distancing myself from him physically, to hold him in the light in consciousness and to see him from the perspective of his higher and divine self which is perfect, while knowing that, regardless of all appearances, all is still in divine and perfect order.  While difficult in the beginning, this eventually became easy for me because I was reminded that I too had previously struggled with my own spiritual transformation, extreme challenges and pain, and it was this same individual who guided me, held me in the light and helped me through the most challenging and painful period of my life, so I felt great that I could willingly return the favor. 

What's even better is that this in turn accelerated my own spiritual awakening tremendously and helped me to realize that absolutely NO ONE belongs on a pedastel above me.  Most importantly, is that this whole experience has helped me to truly tap into who I truly am and to begin to live my life from that space.  In other words...it's all good!  Also, this revolutionary website is a direct offspring of my awakening, increased liberation and transformation.  So, the fact that this person's emotional and spiritual upheavel, melt down, and subsequent transformation is simultaneously teaching me a lesson of unconditional love and discernment, instead of discontent and judgement, in addition to helping me to have extraordinary remembrances during my own awakening process, while at the same time providing me with a tremendous amount of creative genius, wisdom and insight to share with you all via this website...is pretty cool! 

*Please see the excellent writing by Spiritual Teacher Andrew Cohen below which, I believe, perfectly explains the TRUE meaning or authenticity...which directly aligns with living a life based on integrity, which Andrew argues is more challenging then Enlightenment.  I happen to agree!

"As we choose to stand in our Authentic Power, we align with the Higher Self, gaining access to insight, discernment, and compassion; we see through the illusion to Truth and begin to choose the power of Love over the love of power. So how do we stand in our Authentic Power?  We live our Truth - with Compassion.  We Let Go - and Grow with Gratitude.  We rise above the Mess - to see the Blessings and...We Faith It Till We Make It. Yes, we Faith it till we make it!  This simple choice over comes the malady of fakery, and instills a deep sense of Presence, Choice & Divinity within our Being."

Stacey Robyn

Also, Master Kuthumi is  "right on" in what he communicated at the end of his reading.  

"Just be...live your truth...speak it...be it...and everything around you will fall into place."

That is EXACTLY what has happened for me, almost like magic, and I might add...accompanied by joy, inner peace and immense gratitude!  In regard to the part of his reading that states:

"Psychological and emotional maturity is the central core point of maintaining balance."

Based on an analogy that came into my awareness a while ago, which I would like to expand on here,  I had come to the realization that life is simply like a wheel.  A wheel goes round and round if it is going anywhere.  If it is not moving or going anywhere it is static, stuck and motionless.  When the wheel does move however, it's all over the place...it's up, it's down, up, down, up, down...on and on and on.  It keeps going from one extreme to the other and back again, continuously and unceasingly, yet in this ongoing up and down movement, it is progressing, moving forward, getting closer and closer to it's desired destination.  But there is one part of the wheel that never ever moves.  It's at the center of the wheel and that part of the wheel is called the "hub".  The hub in the center of the wheel is always still, steady, and always grounded, no matter if the wheel is up or down. 

The constant up and down nature of the wheel is called life and our strengthened  "central core point of psychological and emotional maturity" represents the wheel's hub.  In order for the wheel to progress it must have it's up moments and it must have it's down moments.  It can't progress otherwise.  This is exactly like life.  We can only progress on our journey by experiencing ups and downs just like the wheel.  It's the only way.  Our lesson and test is to learn to become the hub, to remain our true authentic selves in spite of whether our wheel in life is up or down.   To stand in our truth, our passion, our love and our integrity...no matter what!

"Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm."

Publilius Syrus

It is so easy to be fearless, upright and true when your life is going smoothly but what about when your life is in "seeming" chaos?  Can you still be the authentic Master in the midst of this chaos?  If you can't then this is the ultimate lesson that your soul is steadfastly trying to help you to evolve into....a truly authentic Master, regardless of whatever challenging and chaotic circumstances come your way.  This is the main reason why we all go through chaos, trials and tribulations, particularly if we are under the illusion that we are living and vibrating at a level that we actually are not.  The Universe has a way with "wake up" calls and "rude awakenings" in that situation.  It is ultimately to help us to get to where we need to be.

"It's easy to be heavy; hard to be light."

G.K. Chesterton

Well, for many it's "hard to be light".  Believe it or not, for some, it's hard to be heavy.  The reason for this is because some have an inner knowing at the core of their very being that they are light, (vibrating energy).  This "knowingness" goes way beyond having an intellectual or scientific belief and understanding of the basic theory of Quantum Physics...I am talking about the Real Deal!  Some also realize that darkness is, in reality an illusion....because everything is light!   I once heard a phrase that went something like "you can only cast a shadow when you turn your back to the light." 

"I have asked of you to believe the Light more than you believe the world, but the truth is there is ONLY Light, and there is no other world!  All the rest is a play of Consciousness formed from the dream of Ego. Yet within it all, the Light blazes forth."

From the newsletter "Messages From God" Channeled by Yael & Doug Powell

How else can we shine our light if there is not the perception of darkness to shine our light on?  Being the Light in the midst of the perceived darkness is the mark of a True Master.  How else could you ever know that you are the light without experiencing the illusion of darkness from time to time..you know, the movement of the wheel?    Also, considering that it is the illusion of darkness that gives you the free will to shine your light the brightest and to become your greater yet to be...doesn't that also make the perceived darkness also a great gift?

"Any fool can run towards the light.  It takes a Master with courage to turn and face the darkness and shine his own light there."

Leslie Fieger 

The True Master is constant, authentic, real and true...no matter what happens in his/her life, and he/she values and appreciates the downs just as much as the ups in life, because, like with the wheel, the Master realizes that the ups and downs are both EQUAL and NECESSARY to MOVE and PROGRESS FORWARD on the overrall journey to True Self Mastery. 

"At higher levels, everything is always going in the same direction.  There is no polarity...there is no darkness.  So - called darkness is only here to spur us on to create something new and different.  The darkness is in reality, the light as well, as everything is always light.  So then, the so - called "darkness" is not trying to take over.  It is showing us the way."

Karen Bishop

Once you "get this", not just on a scientific or intellectual level, but from a truly Authentic and Real Soul Based Level, Viola!  You will have discovered what Jesus, the Christ meant in regard to finding "the peace that passeth all understanding" and also what Jesus meant when he said, "There may be trials and tribulations in the world, but be of good cheer, fore I have overcome the world."  By achieving this very real potential and possibility in your life, you will then become a Way Shower, just like Jesus was, and just like Jesus said you could do!   How cool is that?  The journey can only begin with you truly "Living The Authentic Life".

 Peace!

"There is no war here between dark and light, as everything is all in on this together.  The best thing to focus on is the new, and simply leave the so-called darkness behind for others who still need a wake up call.  It is not for us to try and bring it down.  It has it's purpose.  Our job is to hold the light, to create the new in our own structures of choice, to allow the old to fall."

Karen Bishop 

Here are some key steps from Celia Finn that you can take to immediately begin the path of living a truly authentic life.  Remember, anything less than true authenticity is just an illusion.  Blessings! 

• Be Free and Experience Freedom within Yourself : Know that you no longer have to please anyone and you no longer need to "fit in". You need to be You. When you are "authentic" you are Loving and Gentle and Peaceful, and people around you will not feel threatened by your uniqueness, but will celebrate it with you. When you live in this way, your soul will feel free to be All that it can be, and you will unfold into your Full Potential. Be responsible for ensuring that you maintain your own inner sense of freedom and lightness to be Who You Are.

• Be Passionate and Share your Passion : Follow your Dreams and Desires. When you are "authentic", people around you will be attracted to you because of your Passion. Do not become obsessed. Remember, a Passion is something that you share with others, it should not be a way of escaping connection and intimacy. A passion in your life should deepen intimacy and love with others, as their Heart passion unites with yours. Know that every Heart has its own Unique Passion and way of expressing that. Be willing to honor and respect the passions of others, and they will honor yours and share yours. When a group of people works together from the united Flame of their Heart's Passions, it is indeed a powerful energy of Love and Creativity.

   

• Be Open and Honest with Yourself and Others : Be aware of what you are feeling within yourself and do not be afraid to express this. Be willing to express your truth. If you do so without anger and aggression, then it will be accepted as such by others. It may not be their truth, but that is not your concern. If they are able to accept your truth, then that is well, but if not, then you should allow yourself to move on until you find those who are will be equally open and honest with you. But know that the ability to be open and honest and loving rests on the ability to be open and honest and loving with yourself first. The extent to which you are open and honest with yourself, will be reflected in your ability to be that way with others.