Julie Tallard Johnson - Wheel of Initiation: Practices for Releasing Your Inner Light

To the works and spirit of William Stafford. And to an hermana verdadera, Lisa Hartman.

WHEEL OF INITIATION

Wheel of Initiation is a well-written guidebook for transformation and intentionally living lifes most profound questions. Drawing upon a wealth of ancient teachings and stories of awakening, Julie Tallard Johnson guides you on a pilgrimage toward spiritual growth, meaning, and wisdom. Anyone of any faith will greatly benefit from the timeless journey and practices offered in these wise and kind pages.

DONALD ALTMAN, AUTHOR OFTHE MINDFULNESS CODE, LIVING KINDNESS, ANDMEAL BY MEAL

A useful and insightful guide to the purification and transformation of the bodymind, drawing upon the mandala wisdom of ancient indigenous traditions to create a practical alchemy of initiation and therapy for these modern times and our challenging ways of life.

PETER GOLD, AUTHOR OFNAVAJO AND TIBETAN SACRED WISDOM: THE CIRCLE OF THE SPIRIT

In her extraordinary new book, Wheel of Initiation, Julie Tallard Johnson gives ancient wisdom a contemporary and relevant new voice. While so many of us today anguish over the need to find ourselves, Johnson adeptly points out that everything in nature knows what to do with its life. Therefore, she says, our true task is to become who we already are and fulfill that destiny. To that end, Wheel of Initiation is an essential guide that can lead us back into the magnificence of our own inner realm.

DARA MARKS, PHD, AUTHOR OF INSIDE STORY

The Wheel takes us out into the diverse directions of life/space. The Initiation leads us in, to the unifying point of source/center. This ceremony requires great courage, the courage to give yourself fully and SIMULTANEOUSLY to Father Sky and Mother Earth. The courage to let spirit tear you apart.

SHINZEN YOUNG, AUTHOR OFTHE SCIENCE OF ENLIGHTENMENT

The Wheel of Initiation carries a powerful spirit of love and wisdom shared in an absolutely fresh, humble, and beautiful way. I was moved from the first words I read. Its clear that Julie Tallard Johnson walks her talk.

TAV SPARKS, AUTHOR OFMOVIE YOGA AND THE WIDE OPEN

Hang on, this could be a bumpy ride... because somewhere between the life you are experiencing and the life you dare to dream, hides a precious jewel waiting to be unearthed. With Julies patience, compassion, and wisdom you are respectfully guided and facilitated to journey into the Wheel of Initiation... to the places that scare you, but ultimately to the places that heal you. A highly recommended course to mend your soul.

AMY BENDORF SCHERTZ, MS, LMFT

The Wheel of Initiation opened me up to all the possibilities of living a satisfied existence, to being awake in a modern world that rewards us for being asleep. I now have the tools and practices to guide my spiritual growth and to effectively shift my behaviors so that I can live a life filled with satisfaction.

TRACY THADEN, OWNER, WINDHORSE SPIRIT VINEYARDS AND WINERY

Julie Tallard Johnson has once again given us a profound tool for self-exploration. The initiation processes, with Native American, Buddhist, and Christian teachings, were instrumental in bringing my power and wisdom to the surface. I have been able to integrate these teachings into my field of medicine. I believe the health of the individual and society benefits by the in-depth exploration of the self as promoted in the Wheel of Initiation.

MARY ELLEN SABOURIN, M.D.

The lessons within these pages remind us of our humanity, encourage us to break the rules, and challenge us to live a more conscious and ethical life. Julie guides the reader on a journey toward a life inspired by compassion, wisdom, and presence and informed by the experiences of those who have gone before us. The path we choose is up to each of us.

KATIE ISHMAEL, HALL OF FAME AND NCAATRACK WINNER

The Wheel of Initiation is not for the weak of heart! But, if you are ready to bring movement into your life, to direct your life with intention, this is a powerful venue utilizing an eclectic mix of spirituality, therapeutic support, and shamanism. Step in to the wheel with courage, initiate yourself, and experience nothing short of a life transformation!

LINDA TYLLO, FOUNDER OF DESTINA HEALTH

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First, I want to acknowledge all the teachers and mentors, and particularly my root guru, Padmasambhava, who are woven into each word of each page. Thank you, James Powell, Acharya Jinaneshvar, for holding such integrity within and without. To all my teachers at Deer Park in Oregon, Wisconsin: Geshe Lhundub Sopa, Geshe Tenzin Dorje, and visiting teacher Lama Zopa Rinpoche, whose book years ago inspired me to see the gift of the Troublemaker. To Shinzen Young, my first Vipassana teacher; to Ani-la Njawang Chdrn, and all the Ani-las who show me what it means to live compassionately for others; to Sogyal Rinpoche, who took the time to greet each student; and to His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, who sets the example of what we can all aspire to.

The spirit of Joseph Campbell moves between the pages of this volume, and I am particularly thankful to Diane K. Olson for her book of his reflectionstruly a companion read. The visions of Black Elk and Fools Crow and the writers who bring them to us, especially Eagle Man, (Ed McGaa), who showed up in the North when I needed him. Much appreciation goes to Parker Palmer, Don Altman, Lama Surya Das, Steven Pressfield, Peter Gold, and Ian Baker for their commitment to sharing their wisdom through the printed word.

I always feel deeply grateful for all those at Inner Traditions Bear & Companyto Jon Graham, who supported me in pursuing this book idea; to Jeanie Levitan, for keeping us all working together; and to Judith Stein, whose sharp skills as copyeditor caught what the rest of us missed. Anne Dillon, I bow to you in gratitude. You are proof to me that Spirit is behind this book; your editing and work on this book were masterful. An editor such as you completes a book.

Kathy Kershaw, whose cover and chapter art invites you into this Wheel, thank you for your willingness to listen to Spirit and share your vision. And to all the poets, especially William Stafford, Wendell Berry, David Rozelle, Prudence Tippins, and Cindy Anderson, who bring the soul of the world to us all.

I want to acknowledge Lisa Hartman, who soars with the gods in words and action, for reading the manuscript with such a keen heart and mind. And to Kathy Crook for speaking for Carl Jung, and for her detailed reading of the manuscript and bibliography. Laurel Reinhardt, thank you for your unswerving friendship, and for being my long-distance scripting partner. Michele Beslile, for your love and truth; our meetings at the General Store sustain me. My body and soul send out daily prayers of thanks to Tracy Wells, my Thai massage therapist.

I live in a beautiful place. The spirits of my home and land hold a spot for me to learn, connect, and write. My partner and reader, Bill, who keeps bringing the natural world to me; and my most amazing daughter, Lydia, who keeps bringing the universe to me.

I am grateful to all those who took the pilgrimage into the Wheel with me through the Initiation Course. Each year was the best year of my life. I am better for knowing you. Emaho! Those of you who shared your journey and hearts within these pages make this process of initiation real. I belong to you all.