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27 - Drops In The Dark - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran (Recorded on 11/26/2021, 7:30AM in Sulphur-Carlyss, Louisiana) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 27—Drops In The Dark—I invite you to walk with me as I on the value of venturing into our hidden interior spaces, the uncomfortable (and maybe dark) places that are easy to ignore.   Observing my own interior, watching thoughts, and discerning the entangled connections that give rise to particular feelings has been a healthy practice for me. Still, there are spaces that hide in the dark, floating and collecting in unseen places that are much older and painful that I'd care to admit. These are the places that I and many others dare not go, but investigating those spaces is important. Often, there is old damage discovered, but when left unchecked those messy bits can undermine even the best effort to live a life of balance, compassion, wisdom, and peace.   This reflection is an encouragement to spend more time with our damp, uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, and to trace out their tiny causes in an attempt to mend old fissures, perhaps repairing current breaks in the process.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon

26 - Silver Spoons - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran (Recorded on 11/10/2021, 7:30AM in Sulphur-Carlyss, Louisiana) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 26—Silver Spoons—I invite you to walk with me as I discuss the disturbing and growing rise of violent rhetoric embraced by celebrities, politicians, leaders, and ministers.    On the cusp of Veterans Day, I ponder and share my thoughts on the vital importance of occupying ourselves with positive and useful actions that are of actual benefit to our children and communities as opposed to wasting our lives with the consumption of divisive voices that do not have the common good of common folk at their foundation.    This reflection is an encouragement to courageously embrace a lifestyle that is specifically nonviolent—which I feel strongly is a great form of patriotism—as a tool to quell the disease of discord and faux-patriotism that has swept up so many of our brothers and sisters.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon

25 - What Is Ours To Carry - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran (Recorded on 10/23/2021, 7AM in Sulphur-Carlyss, Louisiana) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 25—What Is Ours To Carry—I invite you to walk with me as I discuss how to carry on with some good and helpful work, especially during difficult periods of time when it seems that circumstances convalesce against your efforts.   I share my personal experiences with falling down—when I've failed or been defeated—and some perspectives and methods that have helped me stand up again and take the next, small steps needed to continue.   I know many who feel that they carry a particular burden or weight that seems to belong to them, a passion to do some good, but they feel as though they work alone. I have felt this way before. I understand how hard this may be.   I hope this reflection will serve as a reminder and an encouragement to those who do the good work, the small work, those unseen and uncelebrated.    Though it may often be sorrowful, please know that you have spiritual brothers and sisters in this world—oceans, and oceans full—and you do not serve in your work alone.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon

24 - Watching The Last Sunset - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 24—Watching The Last Sunset—I invite you to walk with me on this holy & solemn morning during this season of grief as I reflect on the Momento Mori (a remembrance that we too must die) that started one year ago, on this very evening.   I share how the passing of a family patriarch has affected me and those close to me, the experience and lessons learned in being the pallbearer of a sorrowful message, and how we change when our dear loved ones are called away.   These topics are often painful and very easy to draw back from. The gift of time and hindsight can allow us to approach these times of great aching in new ways, with a clarity that is often hard to maintain when the wound is first opened.   It is my great hope that in sharing this very personal reflection you too might find a Heart Chamber on your direst days, a space where you might burn with grief but not be consumed by it.   May the good seeds sown by all our lost loved ones—today, especially my father-in-law—find fertile soil in our ordinary lives so that we may, in turn, see blossoms of goodness, mercy, and general kindness grow in those impacted by our existence.    -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon

23 - Paper Beats Rock - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 23—Paper Beats Rock—I invite you to walk with me as I reflect on how best to reconcile the real suffering in the world with the thrust of commercialized spirituality and the decades-long, hopeful vision expressed by the New Age movement.   I hold the positive and vigorous outlook of my earliest awakening experience up to the more textured and bumpy crevasse that makes up my spiritual life today.   These subjects were revealed in the stark light of the real world during a recent stressful event at my youngest's school, an occurrence that at once portrays the value of sharing our ordinary-and-practical spiritual methods with others, while still acknowledging the age-old brokenness displayed in our world.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon

22 - Use What You Have - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 22—Use What You Have—I invite you to walk with me as I reflect on finding community, insight, and wisdom in the ordinary, often overlooked, and easily disregarded spaces of daily life.   I share examples from my own personal practice of finding teachers, healers, and guides in places, objects, and circumstances that could otherwise be deemed unremarkable.   This reflection is an encouragement and reminder to anyone that may be living in spiritual isolation without a community of belonging. It is a reminder that you are never truly alone in your situation and circumstances. There are many in this ordinary, horrible, and beautiful world that are doing the heart work with you.    -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon

21 - A Need For Nonviolence - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 21—A Need for Nonviolence—I invite you to walk with me as I reflect on the writings of Thomas Merton in an attempt to discern where the seeds of violence come from in our world today, and as a motivation to continue practicing nonviolence in my person.   I consider the role identity and ego play in the rise of violent rhetoric and outbursts we see daily in regard to quelling the Covid pandemic. I ponder how a lack of real purpose, outside of acquiring personal comforts, has created a cult-like mentality that has made many even more susceptible to negative influencers.   How do we protect ourselves and the loved ones in our circle as the voices for violence grow louder? How do we practice nonviolence in the looming shadow of violence? Join me on this walk and we can ponder these things together.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon

20 - A Season Of Grief - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 20—A Season Of Grief—I invite you to walk with me as I reflect on living life in a season of grief and loss, something that many of us are too familiar with. I share my personal reflections on prayer and share some simple practices that I find useful in life just as it is.    Today is the 6th anniversary of my Daddy's passing from this world, and I share a story about prayer from his life, and an event I witnessed as a young boy, a moment that provides some perspective on today's reflection.   I offer thoughts on difficult issues surrounding various types of prayer that are often on display in our world, and how some are possibly causing actual pain and harm instead of healing, comfort, and solace.   Join me on this memorial walk.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon

19 - I Want To Believe - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 19—I Want To Believe—I invite you to walk with me as I reflect on how checking my intentions and motivations gave rise to my recent pause in the Dawn Deacon ministry.   It's easy to look at the world and see what you want to see, but what does it really look like? It's easy to look at ourselves and see what we want to see as well, and the same question is relevant—how do we appear to others, and more importantly, to ourselves?   What happens when we check our intentions and motivations with a proper investigative pause? If we find the truth, as the old saying goes, we might discover that the truth hurts. With that revelation, what comes next?   Join me on this morning's walk through bloated despair and, ultimately, a fresh, buoyant hope.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon

18 - Poor Wishes - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 18—Poor Wishes—I invite you into a personal reflection on what it means to wish happiness and wellness for all beings.   Many years ago, I overheard someone close to me say, "Oran wants everyone to be poor." They did not know that I heard it. It has lingered in my memory for almost two decades and has been a very tender spot for a long time.   I recently was given cause to revisit the memory. While still sore, I sat with it, and instead of allowing it to be a source of contention, I chose to let it be a reason to reflect on the nature of my heart. What does it mean to carry a wish that everyone be poor? It isn't what one might think.   Join me on this walk down memory lane and into the tender spaces of my very human heart.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon  ... ENTER THE SIBLING CIRCLE // https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawndeaconsiblingcirlce

17 - Divine Twinship - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 17—Divine Twinship—I invite you to stand with me in the glorious morning sun, an Easter vigil, as I reflect on days past and days ahead.   In this reflection, I put my finger on the pulse of my own personal archeology, excavating old words I'd written for myself 25 years ago. How are the weathered skins of today informed by the nubile flesh of yesterday? Is the wisdom of our youth durable enough to satisfy decades into the future? Touching the past with love is a call to be mindful of the present, as this very moment is our future past, and we are potentially our own best teachers in some future age.   I invite you to stand with me on this pre-Easter dawn, bathed candied light, in memory, and glorious birdsong.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon  ... ENTER THE SIBLING CIRCLE // https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawndeaconsiblingcirlce

16 - Burning Tree - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 16—Burning Tree—I invite you to walk with me this morning in this second of a two part reflection on making the ordinary spaces we inhabit holy.   While I did not intend to revisit the subject of sacred-ordinary spaces, I woke to learn that an ancient tree—a space that one of my spiritual sisters holds so dear—caught on fire over the weekend. The image she posted touched me deeply, as I too have witnessed my own holy spaces treated with utter disregard by my human brothers and sisters.    Walk with me as I dive back into the idea of cultivating personal temples and spiritual havens within the ordinary world that we all inhabit.   I pray that you too will find new meaning in the places, creatures, and plant life that we have named and often disdained.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon  ... ENTER THE SIBLING CIRCLE // https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawndeaconsiblingcirlce

15 - Even the Weeds - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 15—Even the Weeds—I invite you to walk with me through the Grove, a local walking park—which has become a bit of a personal sanctuary—situated admist the clatter of local traffic, in this first of a two part reflection on making the ordinary spaces we inhabit holy.   I share some of my own methods, rituals, and thoughts on using whatever we have, whatever surrounds us, like a bell of mindfulness to give pause and cause for awareness.   I pray that this morning walk through a sacred-ordinary space encourages you to seek your own holy places, wherever they may be, in whatever form they take.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon  ... ENTER THE SIBLING CIRCLE // https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawndeaconsiblingcirlce

14 - Golden Yolk - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 14—Golden Yolk—I invite you to walk with me as I consider my personal thoughts on the value of sharing what we learn on our own waking way.   If you're at all like me, and if you've had even the smallest revelatory experience of the great oneness, then you may have fantasized (at least once) about stepping away from the pulling-and-hauling found in modern civilization. Decades ago, I entertained such thoughts.    As enchanting as those dreams may have been, that was not my life path. My real life was destined to be planted in the very ordinary—sometimes ugly and painful—cracked and bruised world. Once I saw the aching world within from an awakened state, my heart cried out, "send me!"    There is a need, time, and place for the mountain sage, but the people of the world are suffering out in the wilderness of everyday existence. The waters of mercy and compassion flow down to the low places. This is where I've been called to use my mediocre, ordinary gifts, in plain spaces.   I pray that this morning walk encourages you to share your own refreshment with others.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon  ... ENTER THE SIBLING CIRCLE // https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawndeaconsiblingcirlce

13 - Shivering & Shedding- The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 13—Shivering & Shedding—I invite you to walk with me as I share some personal reflections on contrition, forgiveness, and my varying ability—or inability—to allow people to change.   It is clear to me that forgiveness is an important part of my spiritual life, and the withholding of it can often be an impediment to personal growth. I wish for others to allow me to shed old skins in my own time so that I can further reveal my innate goodness, but am I offering the same gift to them in return?    Contrition seems to be integral to unlocking the gate to forgiveness and opening it fully, but have I always been contrite? Have I always made a genuine effort at recompense?    Wherever you stand, several things are clear; change, contrition, and forgiveness are possible and very personal. One's ability to embrace—and offer—all three take the right understanding, effort, and action.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon  ... ENTER THE SIBLING CIRCLE // https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawndeaconsiblingcirlce

12 - Faceless in the Fog - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 12—Faceless in the Fog—I invite you walk with me as I share my personal perspective and experiences with visions and dreams.   Talking openly about dreams and visions can be taboo, or draw ire and skepticism, depending on the circle. It has been my experience that dreams and visions can be useful on a spiritual path, especially if they encourage us to make positive changes in our lives, or motivate us to be of service to others.   In this reflection, I talk openly and plainly about my personal visions and dreams, what I've discerned from them, and how they have served as a type of compass for witnessing divinity, sharing love, experiencing community, and cultivating introspection.    I pray this personal reflection will help you as you make your own sacred, waking way.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon  ... ENTER THE SIBLING CIRCLE // https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawndeaconsiblingcirlce

11 - My Binding Book - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 11—My Binding Book—I invite you into a simple spiritual practice—my book of names—that has been of great value to me on the Waking Way.   I have come to call this my binding book, as the original intent was to bind my own prayers to those of the people I have written in the book. What started out as a small, pocket-sized field notebook has transformed into a way to access the eyes of my heart and place them on my brothers and sisters, no matter where (or when) they may be.   I pray this personal reflection on my prayer practice will help you as you make your own sacred Way.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon  ... ENTER THE SIBLING CIRCLE // https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawndeaconsiblingcirlce

10 - Finishing Nails - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 10—Finishing Nails—I invite you on a morning walk with me as I reflect on violence and force.   I consider the hidden roots of violence, the value of practicing nonviolence in thought, word, and deed, as well as the variety of subtle forces it takes to make a lasting change.   I pray this personal reflection will help you as you make your own sacred Way.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon  ... ENTER THE SIBLING CIRCLE // https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawndeaconsiblingcirlce

9 - Drops of Dew - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 9—Drops of Dew—I invite you on a morning walk with me as I reflect on how dark communication had become over the past four years and the hope I have for a change in overall tone and quality of information sharing.   I consider the very ordinary, sacred teachers that I've encountered, and my new fervor to seek wisdom in uncertified and unordained humanity, beings that share the same spaces as the rest of us common folks.   I pray this personal reflection will help you as you make your own sacred Way.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon  ... ENTER THE SIBLING CIRCLE // https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawndeaconsiblingcirlce

8 - A Tender Ember - The Dawn Deacon Podcast with Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In Episode 8—A Tender Ember—I invite you to a sacred ordinary space that hold deep, personal meaning for me. I've never invited anyone to join me before.   I talk about the loss of my father, reflecting on the value of memorials to our ancestors that have passed, and the many forms those personal shrines could take in the world and in our hearts.   I recall how this place was so important to me in my youth, in the early days of my initial awakening, and how it has changed with me each time I've rekindled the sacred ember that I discovered so many years ago.   I pray this personal reflection will help you as you make your own sacred Way.   -Brother Oran - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUPPORT THE DAWN DEACON // https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brotheroran   ... FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK // https://www.facebook.com/TheDawnDeacon  ... ENTER THE SIBLING CIRCLE // https://www.facebook.com/groups/dawndeaconsiblingcirlce