Council of Gnomes Blog

I recently heard a talk about Joseph Beuys, a German post-WWII artist, extremely influential, who wrote, drew, painted, and created displays and action installations. One of these installations, or social sculptures as he called them—“Honey Pump in the Workplace”—had a system of transparent tubes conveying honey around a room, as people shared their ideas in 100 days of conversation. Bueys made the case that we are all artists, that we can moment-to-moment enliven the world with our thinking, our warmth of heart, our commitment to the deep rhythms…

Reflections on Little Drawings by Barbara Thomas When Mary Jane quoted Dennis Klocek advocating “art as a cultural deed,” I was charmed and curious. “What does that mean?” I pondered, and was then stunned and delighted to realize that it is what I have been doing for over 35 years. It is what my art is about, what I am about. Long before I met Mano, to relate to in person, he guided me into the experience of doing little drawings while traveling or in meetings. I would entertain…

Thinking back to what I wrote in the December blog, when the little ones (of the gnome world) showed up during my massage and asked the therapist to tell me that I don’t need to work so hard to see them because “I already do”, I felt an immediate confirmation—that relaxing into “knowing” that comes not so often as to be taken for granted but often enough to stick in my heart as a guiding star. Barbara often says, “Now that the gnomes have us—have our attention—they’re not going…

I seem never to tire of stories people tell about how they have come to trust their own unique ways of communicating with plants, animals, angels, and elementals. I think this is because such stories remind me of the rather saucy declarations I have occasionally made since retiring: What else is there for me to do in this lifetime but to develop these extra layers of consciousness and know them intimately? As alike as the stories and suggestions sometimes seem—for example: even if you initially feel foolish, ask…

One thing I keep thinking, particularly as I read the daily news, is that a significant missing link in the ongoing conversation about climate change is the consultation with nature itself—with the trees, the nature spirits, the elements. Although my own steepings and ramblings in the nature spirit realm continually build my trust, I can’t even imagine how a New York Times news article or op-ed piece, or, for that matter, a climate change book-club conversation, could convincingly advocate for learning to listen to what the plants and animals have…

There is joy in fulfilling to the fullest whatever rung on the hierarchical ladder I occupy. I don’t exactly know what place that is, but I know a couple of things: it is always a good idea to turn the question over to higher guidance, and the growth edge is in knowing when to step into the challenge of leading and when to relax into following. And sometimes my challenge is to be conscious that in letting others help me I allow them to fulfill their own roles.…

In my conversations with people who are tuned into the world of nature spirits and are striving to listen deeply, questions about hierarchy often come up. What is a human’s proper role in this new, expanded picture? Often enough, in my own attempts I feel way down on the totem pole of wisdom, rather than at the top, as human beings are supposed to be—sensing that I have more to learn than I have to give. My nature communication group was recently wondering about the need for a…

I am always thrilled when I find people who are moving with beautiful, natural grace and confidence in their connection with nature spirits. Somehow being around these people gives me energy and hope in the direction of deepening and giving myself over to these subtle layers of reality. Now I am honored to be part of a small new group that is giving its attention to nature communication—speaking with the land, in the first part of our meetings, and then speaking with one another about what we’ve gathered…

In conjunction with her talks and workshops at East West Bookstore in Mountain View in May and Center for Spiritual Living in Santa Cruz in June, Barbara wrote two articles for Connection Magazine: “Nature Needs Us As Much As We Need Nature” and “Everyone Has a Divine Plan”. This month’s blog combines these two articles. “When I was 60 my husband and I moved to a small cottage in the heart of a redwood forest. I built a studio to explore painting the energies of the land. Jim…

Barbara will be presenting a workshop showing her DVD “Healing Burned Woman” June 26 & 27 in Santa Cruz,  Center for Spiritual LivingReservation 831 335-3145Friday night is free. Showing Burned Woman’s Story, Nature and Barbara’s Story, 7:00-9:30Saturday Workshop: 10:30 – 3:30 $44.00. Day of Workshop $55.00Using movement, chalks, awareness questions ritual, the focus is to: Empower you to recognize and honor your inner guidance and spiritual gifts. Heal scars left from the Burning Times. ___________________________________ The garden in this beautiful spot where I live has 40 rose bushes in it. Last…