The spiral is a theme in my life right now. The spiral is a symbol for my soul journey. The soul is that part of me that is eternal and lives forever. I have had profound experiences in the Reconciliation Spiral, (pictured above) that my husband, Joseph, made for my birthday one year. We each walk in from a connecting path to the Center to reconcile any division. As I walk into the Center, I notice what I need to release or forgive. I prayerfully open up to receiving a message from the Holy Spirit. As I walk out, I am integrating the message.
The unity that I feel is as if my soul is connected to all the souls in the world even as I celebrate our differences. When I walk into the United Nations Meditation Room, I sense the same oneness of all humanity’s souls as I do in the the spiral. The Room was designed by Dag Hammarskjöld, Second United Nations Secretary General. In Markings, Hammarskjöld’s private journal, he reveals his intent that his life be a “white paper with God.”
My Soul’s Journey to Redefine Leadership: A New Phoenix Rises from the Ashes of 9/11 is my white paper with God as I am given the experience of the oneness of humanity by the spiritual figures that have come to me in meditation. At the same time I celebrate humanity’s differences. Thirty-seven years ago, the Holy Spirit revealed to me a new definition of American leadership and way of doing business. I was on a sabbatical year, spending much of the time on Mt. Tamalpais, in Mill Valley, just outside San Francisco.
In this book, I write about a spiritual experience, given to me by God, through a dream of a new Phoenix for the United States of America rising out of the ashes of 9/11, when I was in New York City during the World Trade Center attack. The Phoenix is a transformative and regenerative bird of resurrection. My experience showed me a new way to look at 9/11, encouraging me to envision a post 9/11 America.
Looking back, I have redefined leadership in six steps, drawing on the Mt. Tamalpais experience in 1986 and Phoenix visions of 2001:
- Restoring faith in myself
- Redefining leadership and faith in the family and the relationship of man and woman
- Restoring faith in business
- Developing Reconciliation Leadership and the Peacebuilding Process of Reconciliation to develop political will as a way to empower ordinary people
- Restoring faith in the United Nations
- Restoring faith in the United States
I have always brought the spiritual to the practical through my spiral journey. On that day in 1986, the Holy Spirit invited me to develop a leadership approach definition for this country that would reflect the Constitution as an evolving document. I now help others redefine their soul journeys in the way that is best for them. My goal is that ultimately they may join me in an experience of the oneness of humanity and restore faith in America.
I respect everyone’s individual path to redefinition. We the people of this country—our life’s work and passions–are desperately needed to join the patchwork quilt of life–every patch is important.
This book is about my path to redefinition, how I stepped up to my patch to join those who are already part of the quilt, with no one above or below me, just next to me. I feel a sense of expansiveness and global vision. Given the time I have spent over the last 25 years meditating, praying and reflecting in the meditation room that Hammarskjöld built while he was Secretary General, I feel a spiritual kinship with the man and his room. He designed the room with all spiritual traditions in mind—very simple.
I invite you to listen to Paulette Meier’s chant of Hammarskjöld’s definition of security from within–from the center of silence surrounded by stillness.
In this book, readers may react to some of the words I use for the Divine because of the horrible things people and nations have done in the name of God. Please feel free to use your own word–Spirit or Mary or Allah or Buddha, higher self or Universe, among others. What is your word?
Since 2007, I have showcased human goodness and service through interviews with more than 100 people on my television show, Imagine Worcester and the World. I have learned so much about both human goodness and becoming more conscious through our shadow sides. [http://www.wccatv.com/video/imagine-worcester]
“By showing the world that it is possible to resolve conflict without the long lasting destruction and devastation caused by war,” said Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese healer and teacher, in a letter to the United States about the Iraq invasion in 1991, “Please reveal the great strength and wisdom of the USA. We will all be very grateful.”
It is possible to resolve conflict without devastating war. My past 25 years of using the resources of business to develop and train Reconciliation Leaders have shown that.
My evolution as a leader can be described visually as steps in a spiral, a metaphor for my spiritual life integrated with the practical through each step of my life’s work since 1986. The center of this Celtic symbol is soul consciousness. The spiral has helped me find my inner Voice and has brought me to unity with God with my personal purpose, vision and mission. I have used my business experience to develop personal, interpersonal, systemic and global competencies for all the programs I’ve developed.
Just as I have offered the competency steps to the United Nations community over many years, I offer the spiral to the United States today with the help of the Phoenix, which appeared to me in New York City on that fateful day. The spiral has helped me to know who I am so that I could help people be who they are. I have included several spirals in this memoir to illustrate how important it is to show that my journey to redefine leadership is intertwined with my journey to God.
Very impressive, Virginia. This work is so important and you are so well equipped to present it to the world. I will certainly share your message with friends.
Namaste.
Marty Espinola
Marty–how many years since Many Rooms Looking for a House! Thank you so much for your affirming presence, always and much love.
Hi Virginia,
I suspect that your spiral will have to advance further given the election for president.
So you’ll have to be checking in some more with us.
What a great life you’ve lived.
More good things to come. My best, Frank Braio
Thank you Frank–you are still in my prayers!
Virginia,
How lovely! And Mt. Tam is one of those places that opens up your spirit, isn’t it? There is a quiet, lovely spiral walk in the woods behind Smith College that just calms my soul. Looking forward to more of your story.
So happy to hear from you Sam! So glad you have a spiral place as well!
The words and visual imagery of Virginia Swain are extremely prolific and applicable for today’s world. Dr. Malika Carter – CEO Passion4Pivot LLC
Thank you so much Malika! Yours too!
Hello Virginia,
The blog is thought provoking.
Are you going to put url on FB and Linckedin? I do this with my blog.
Gordon
Thank you so much Gordon! Yes, I do plan to put the url out there.
If you know someone who might also like this, please feel free to share!
Dear Virginia,
Good to hear from you after so many years.
Holiday greetings,
Lisinka
And to you as well–a wonderful friend of so many years. love to you!
Funny how I would see the spiral as beginning in the center and moving outward. Spiritual crisis brings awareness and strength to expand outward to embrace the world.
Thank you, Sharon. A lovely thought. Appreciate you commenting.
Virginia, the spirit of what you write here sounds like the spirit I often hear when I pray in the morning.
Thank you, John. It means a lot that you write that you also have access to the Holy Spirit. AS spiritual directors, we have the joy of helping other access the Holy Spirit!
The soul journey you describe and give image to in the spiral is a powerful one. I am grateful for your image of the Phoenix rising from the ashes of 9/11. May America recover from our fearfulness and find the way forward together to be a nation where healing is available to all and radiates into the rest of the world.
Dear Marcelle,
Thank you so much. You’ve been in my thoughts and prayers so much lately. I love your intention for America. I embrace it as well.
I love the spiral metaphor to illustrate your personal spiritual & personal journey. Thank you for being of service to the world with your leadership!
Dear Katharine,
Thank you–I’m so glad you love the spiral as much as I do. I feel so supported meeting like minded people –and you are one.
I’d love to talk more about how you can get involved!
Best Virginia
Virginia, your journey is a wonderful inspiration to all, thank you for sharing!
Dear Gioia,
It means so much to get your comment and support on the journey.
It was such a pleasure to be the officiant at yours and Josh’s wedding last August!
With love Virginia
Hi Virginia! You are a visionary activist and educator, a wonderful example for service in the world. Thanks for sharing your journey in the new work. Onward!
Thank you dear Jean. That is what I would say about you.much love, always, Virginia
Hi Jean
I’m sorry for the delay in replying to this special blog entry. Thank you!
I’m so grateful for our time together!
Love Virginia
Beautiful, Virginia. I love this metaphor. You give us the vision of world peace, and perhaps some hope. It is a personal journey for all of us as the world seems to be spiraling out of control. Thank you for the reminder that it comes first from within ourselves.
Thank you Anita for your lovely comment. Did you know that what you see in me is in you?
Interested in learning the spiral of spirituality.
Thanks Kumar. Please contact me at 508-245-6843 or Virginia@virginiaswain.com if you’d like a session.
in gratitude, Virginia