Values

For three decades, Heron Dance has explored what it means to live a deeply meaningful life. We’ve explored adventure (life as a free spirit), serving others, creativity, the human connection to the natural world, journaling, and now, the poems of ancient Taoist hermits.

We search for the truth underlying the surface truth. We seek a simple way of life based on a close relationship with our inner world, and the peace we find there.

We find guidance in the combination of meditation and journaling.

We seek to express our gratitude for, and fascination with, the gift of life through art and poetry.

What is really going on here?

We don’t know. Though many may tell you they know, they don’t. There are forces surrounding us, some based on mathematics and physics, some based on a kind of harmony of opposites, yin and yang. Those forces are both powerful and subtle.

To connect with them requires a connection with our inner world. Our inner world is sacred.

The sacred, the spiritual journey, is one of sacrifice.

Creating a Life of Meaning

The journey toward “effortless being” is not easy. Manifesting who we really are, what we really want out of the gift of life, is difficult. It is easier to stay in our rut.

Like the baby elephant born to a circus mother, in childhood we were tethered to a stake in the ground with a chain. As the years went by, the chain was replaced with a twine, one we could easily break. We think we want to break it, but can’t. We think we want a life outside the limited circle we walk, round and round, but in reality the world out there, the world of possibilities, is unfamiliar and scary. So we avoid it and walk round and round.

Humility

We never forget that we are here to serve searchers and seekers on a spiritual journey, and that we don’t have the answers.

We sometimes have good questions. The quality of your questions determines the quality of your life.

The objective is a life well-lived

Life is a journey on which the ultimate destination, perceived vaguely in the distance, is unknown. We’re all pilgrims.

But we gain energy from each other. And some paths give us energy and some don’t. The paths that give you energy may be different from the ones that give me energy.

Integrity first

Nothing we do has any value without integrity first. Promises of an easy life in a state of perpetual bliss are fiction. What exists is trials and tribulations, of steps forward and steps backward. Of constant challenges – you have come to a spiritual revelation. Now the powers that be will test you. Do you really believe? Are you a poser? Do you have control over yourself and your behavior?

All that is sacred requires sacrifice. Sacrifice isn’t easy.

We strive for excellence

At Heron Dance, we are engaged in an effort that consistently falls short of our vision of what is possible. It is a game of numbers. For every hundred paintings I paint, one is excellent, ten good, ten more okay. Often it isn’t clear which is which for a month or two.

I try to relax into that. Sometimes I do.

Speed and quality

We strive to do work that does not trade-off quality to accomplish speed.

Positive intent

At Heron Dance, we try to live up to our values. We fail sometimes, but we strive. And we don’t give up.

We listen. We try to think before talking, or writing, to be on the side of quality, integrity, goodwill, compassion, justice. We strive to live with an open heart and create work that is a positive force in the lives of others.

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