Temple Illuminatus
Leila Raven
56, Female
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
Profile Information:
- Gender, any & all.
- cis-woman femme
- About Myself & My Interests...
I am one who lives true to my own authentic self out of a place of compassionate love and respect for all.
I live an alternative lifestyle in many ways, not just in terms of my spirituality. My spirituality is but one part, albeit the guiding part, of me living authentically to self and others. I follow no particular belief system and have no affiliation to any path or group or way of being.
I look at the world of the spiritual, the numinous, through as many different perceptual lenses as possible. Cognisant that each is but a metaphorical interpretation of something much greater that transcends human definition and classification.
For me I believe the nature of infinite reality is something that cannot be fully known through our finite minds, whether scientific or spiritual, all are simply theories. For me reality and spirituality is understood through the totality of simply being, we are one with all. However truths and wisdoms can be found in the metaphorical representations of all theories and belief systems.
So in a sense, I'm pantheistic and pandenominational. I believe in the divinity of all things, and that all belief systems are valid representations. We each perceive unique personal truths.
In terms of living authentically. I also love true to my spiritual nature. This for me means I'm pansexual (bisexual only includes two genders, pan is the prefix for 'all'). My romantic loves are not based on gender identity, the external house of flesh, but on the quality of the spirit. The packaging doesn't matter to me. All are beautiful.
I also live a polyamorous non-monogamous lifestyle. Just as I don't limit my love based on gender, I also don't limit it to a number of romantic partners. Each love is different and unique and love shared is love multiplied.
I live in a family of four adults, two women, two men, without children and with a lot of pets and a big garden. I also practice tantra, sacred sexuality, BDSM and power exchange. For me sex is a sacred bonding and a deep expression of love, I see nothing wrong with casual sex but it's not personally for me, I reserve sex for my long term loving relationships.
I have been on disability since 2000. I am diagnosed with CFS/CFIDS/ME/FM all chronic pain and fatigue disorders of the body and autoimmune system with no known cause. My body has been deteriorating over the last few years, I look completely healthy however I have no stamina, and am currently bed bound and using a wheel chair for most of my mobility. I can get up and walk, but very little.
I do believe my physical 'illness' and change is tied into spiritual transformation of self. I feel this is meant to happen. My main challenges are pain and weakness. Which means sometimes I am unable to type and
be online. I manage symptoms and health as best I can, and am at peace and feel happy with what I am learning in the process.
Thankfully while I was able, I enjoyed studying and working, I have a BFA in studio arts, a BA in psychology and an MA in counselling psychology. When I originally went on disability I was diagnosed with major depression as I was suicidal. I was working at that time as a home support supervisor, managing a staff of 60-70 workers providing support for a clientèle of 300-350 elderly, disabled, and medically fragile individuals in the community. This was not only very rewarding, but well paid union work and left me thankfully with a good disability pension. This along with my loving family taking very good care of me, means I am blessed in that all my needs are met.
I have no fear over any state my body wishes to go through including physical death, for change is inevitable in the physical, and death is just what we call that trans-formative moment.
What is, is what is meant to be. I live in love. I live in the now. I'm more self aware, self fulfilled, and happier than I have ever known.
I'm a passionate person who is predominantly interested in other people. Everything to do with people and loving people. I am interested in love, human psychology, culture, spirituality, philosophy, the arts, and anything that relates to exploring the nature of self and others.
I am a Lover and I am Love, through and through. I have always identified with love, and as a child one of my 'guides'/'imaginary friends' was Venus the goddess of beauty and love. It took a few years for me to understand what she meant when she would say that she was me, and I her. The reality is... we are all avatars of Love, All Gods and Goddesses.
My motto has always been:
Live in Love- My Teachers & Influences, What was it about them that influenced me?
Life has been my biggest teacher. It has thrown some incredibly challenging lessons at me some times. I like to think life is hardest on those students it feels has the ability to do that hard work and learn those most challenging of life's lessons.
So if life is treating you harshly at times, remember, it is because you have the strength to walk that path, and to stay focused on what can be learnt at those moments.
All are teachers and every moment holds a multitude of lessons. Ultimately, what one learns depends on what one chooses to listen to. The more teachers and perspectives one can find in life, the broader the scope of the knowledge to be found.
- Authors and/or Books I appreciate:
Authors - Joseph Campbell, Carl Sagan, Umberto Echo, Leo Buscalglia, Tolkien, Jack Chalker, Laural K. Hamilton, Anne Rice, Koontz, Stephen King, Clive Barker, Pat Califia, Anais Nin, Henry Miller, Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Pearl S. Buck, Franz Bardon, Franz Kafka, Nietzsche, Yukio Mishima, William Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, H.P. Lovecraft, Robert Heinlein, Stephen King, Alexandr Solzhenitsyn, RAW - Robert Anton Wilson, Edgar Allan Poe, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker, Lewis Carroll, Hermann Hesse, Aldous Huxley, Eliphas Levi, Aleister Crowley, Shakti Gawain, Douglas Adams, John Steinbeck, William Golding, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Kurt Vonnegut, William Gibson, J.K. Rowling, Lao Tzu, Anne Frank, Kahlil Gibran, Arthur Golden, Shel Silverstein, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre,William Blake, Walt Whitman, Samuel Beckett, Rudyard Kipling, the Dalai Lama, Dr. Seuss, Sun Tzu, Stephen R. Donaldson, Noam Chomsky, Richard Bach, Hermes Trismegistus.Francis Barrett, Simon Magus, Starhawk.Self Portraits
The photos below are self portraits from 2008 onward. Mostly head shots, as I'm predominantly bed bound and most are shot on my built in laptop camera. For me photography is a strong creative expression of my thoughts and ideas, so these are not so much just representations of my self, but of different concepts I've explored.
Robin Ritter
123Tagged.com - More Angel Comments
Jul 30, 2011
L. Love
Hey honey....hoping you have a restful and blessed weekend. Sending love and hugs Leila :)
Aug 5, 2011
Robin Ritter
I have been seeing and hearing crows a lot lately, even some looking like they are calling out to me. Any one else have this situation or know a lot about the meaning of crows?
I almost stepped on a newly deceased big crow the other night, any thoughts on that? I love crows they are always calling out to me lately...would love your wisdom on this....
~Magickal Graphics~
~Magickal Graphics~
In that silence
I will hear the voice of spirit, and freed
from this world
I will see another order where the end is
another beginning. Rumi
Click Here for Pets Comments
Aug 6, 2011
L. Love
Thank you Leila. This is my 2nd home now so you're stuck with me for a while now lollol ;)
HUGS
Aug 7, 2011
Robin Ritter
4th of July Comments @ RecoveryGraphics
Outpatient Drug Rehab @ SoberCoachMentors.org
~ Don't allow People's action to deter YOU from movIN forward or makIN Positive Changes IN YOUR Life ~ FREE YOURSELF of any Mental baggage contributed by both SELF & Others ~ Allow YOUR INner Child to run FREE while ShowerIN her/him with the LOVE that is so Needed ~ Om Namah Shivaya
~Magickal Graphics~
There is love in so many usual and unusual places that we recieve messsages....be open to all!
~Magickal Graphics~
Aug 18, 2011
Robin Ritter
~Magickal Graphics~
Aug 18, 2011
L. Love
Have a beautiful weekend dearest :) Much love :)
Aug 20, 2011
L. Love
Thank you Leila...more than I can convey :) That brought a tear to my eyes but much needed words and yes, this is a sanctuary I now call home :)
Much love dearest and hugest hugs :)
Aug 20, 2011
Robin Ritter
get comments at www.jujugraphics.com
Aug 22, 2011
L. Love
Hey Leila....hope you are feeling well and happy dearest. Just stopping by to send my love to you and yours and hoping you have a peaceful and blessed weekend honey :) HUGS
Aug 26, 2011
bob reynolds
you're an amazing woman. wanted to write you last night but it got late.
why is it? when you find someone you really wanna get to know, and they live on the other side of the country. another thing, you have a cool, loving family there. i know other women would like what you have, but wont go for it.
everything i know about you so far is great. please be the girl you described. that gives the rest of the world that love can be shared.
your friend
bob
Aug 31, 2011
bob reynolds
Aug 31, 2011
bob reynolds
hi leila. i tried to conform in the past. i ended up lost, looking for me. i was what others wanted (except not much money).
wont go that route again. just gotta find people like us close to me.
Sep 1, 2011
bob reynolds
hi. i might soon try and set something up. i prefer to look my friends in the eyes. the eyes tell the truth. i would be scared to set it up myself before i attend something.
i'm heavy into polygamy and skyclad life. just cant be that way around kids that are taught nudity is dirty. i hope to find some help with setting this up. got a friend in georgia that might be interested(i hope).
living "in town" in the south can be a bitch too. so much prejudice still down here. i prefer to be out in the country where a person can be what they want.
i'm sure the government will continue monitoring my words and actions. i dont mind saying what i feel is true, no matter what. after marshall law gets started, i know i'll be in hiding, or shot.
Sep 1, 2011
WIlli Paul
Sep 4, 2011
bob reynolds
hi,
i'm happy to be here, but feel like crap today. i tried to help someone who wanted to learn witchcraft the proper way. i'm not smart enough to answer her questions. i asked a friend to talk to her. i guess because she is 13, she'll have to learn from those who will hurt her. she got kick off the site. my fault. i dont look at age when asked for help from someone wanting to learn. i suppose even pagans turn their backs when asked for help. i dont. i gotta learn to be a colder person too, i guess.
the people she had talked to demanded sexual acts for intitiation. i told her no way! was i wrong? i love sex, but forcing it on at 13 yr old to become what she believes in is totally wrong of us. i guess she'll learn it in an orgy that she didnt count on, wondering if we are as good and loving as we claim. i feel like i shouldnt be as open as i once felt i could be here.
Sep 5, 2011
Robin Ritter
Each new day is a new beginning-
to learn more about ourselves
to care more about others,
to laugh more than we did,
to accomplish more than we thought we could,
and be more than we were before.
-Author Unknown
Labor Day Comments @ RecoveryGraphics
Bring Your Dog To DogStarSpace.com!
Healing What Hurts…
The very thought of this brings up feelings of resistance i...n most of us, especially if, on the surface, our lives seem to be in order. It’s difficult to dig up the past and go into it unless we are being seriously inconvenienced by the hurt. The thing is, when we are carrying the burden of our unprocessed pain, sooner or later it will inconvenience us. If we can be brave and proactive, we can save ourselves a lot of future suffering and free up the energy that is tied up in keeping the pain down.
There are many ways to do this, but the first step is to recognize the pain and honor it by moving our awareness into it. In this process, even if it’s just five minutes during meditation, we will begin to have a sense of what the pain is made of. It might be fear of abandonment, childhood abuse, anger at being mistreated, or some other long held wound.
As we sit with the pain, we will also have a sense of whether we can deal with it by ourselves or not. It may be time to work with a counselor/Spritual Healer or find a healing circle with like minded people. Whatever path you choose, resolve to go deep into the pain so that you can release/surrender it fully, and set yourself free.
Remember, it is never too late in life to heal what hurts, and there is never a better time than now…
Sep 7, 2011
L. Love
Hey beautiful Leila....
How are you doing honey? Hope you are doing ok...you have been in my thoughts.
Sending you much love my sweet and have a beautiful and restful weekend.
Sep 9, 2011
L. Love
Thats good that you are listening and resting honey....we all need to recharge the batteries right now Leila.
Much love and have a peaceful Sunday.
Sep 10, 2011
Robin Ritter
~Magickal Graphics~
Sep 15, 2011
Robin Ritter
The weekend is here. ;)
~Magickal Graphics~
A fire ceremony is a Native American practice that is usually performed every full moon. You do not have to wait for a full moon in order to do a fire ceremony. Fire Ceremonies are wonderful during a New Moon, when you want to introduce newness into your Life. This Native American ritual is easy, simple and an awe-inspiring event.
http://www.drstandley.com/nativeamerican_fire.shtml
~Magickal Graphics~
~Magickal Graphics~
"With"In"~"Thy"Ep"I"C"en"T"er"~"Thy"e"y"e"Un"B"link"In" ~"Un"Cond"itIon"All"Un"Yield"In"Un"End"In" ~"In"So"U"r"ce"T"r"U"~"O"ri"G"In"B" ~"In"2"Thy"heart"C"en"T"er"~"B"Y"ond"~"The"O"pen"S"ea" ~"Lies"Thy"Dest"I"ny"~"2"Fu...l"Fill"~"The"C"Ir"cle"of"Life" ~"Fr"Om"~"Seed"2"B"ud"2"Bloom"~"Thy"En"Er"Ch"I"Flow" ~"Lo"t"Us"B"~"In"Thy"U"n"I"V"erse"1"Verse"B" ~"We"R"Love"Is"1"Heart"1"Us"~"IAM" "B"ea"U"ty"Full"In"Joy"Filled"Full"~"IAM"~"je t'aime"~"heartfeather
ღ Put your thoughts to sleep,
do not let them cast a shadow
over the moon of your heart.
Let go of thinking.
༺♥༻ Mawlana Jalal-al-Din Rumi
The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that it’s center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.
༺♥༻ Black Elk ╰დ╮❤╭დ╯
╰დ╮❤╭დ╯... ........❀✿❀✿............❀✿❀✿✿
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Sep 17, 2011
Imani
Ii walk my truth also sister. I live in a place surrounded by alpine forest and winding rivers.
I build medicine wheels and open the energy from them. i teach water ceremony standing in the river.
I am a traditional trauma counselor here in the Native community. My father was Chickamauga Cherokee and mentored me.
I walk softly on earth mother and with much love.
I am glad to be here
Imani smiles
Sep 17, 2011
SunKat
Sep 27, 2011
Cougar Martin
Sep 30, 2011
L. Love
Hello beautiful lady....hope you are doing good. Sending much love :)
Oct 1, 2011
L. Love
Well hoping you have fun with Halloween and I thought this might help you get in the mood ;) hehehe
Oct 2, 2011
L. Love
Much love :)
Oct 2, 2011
Cougar Martin
Leila, I think the reason we can't get volunteers is because we're 30 milles from town, out in the desert. No one wants to drive that far to work for nuttin'. We have had some inquires, but when they find out where we are...oh well, I understand, with gas the price it is. I love it here in the desert, but it does take all my time, when my husband Dave works dayshift. We get up at 2:15am, he leaves at 4:15 (its an hour to where he works), then he's gone for 14-15 hours. Comin' home at 7:30pm (if he isn't still workin'), doesn't give him much time to do anythin'. We need donations so bad. Neither of us has the time or energy to do anythin' but take care of the animals. Can I put pictures up here some where? I would love to show y'all our animals and each has a story.
Oct 2, 2011
Debbie
Oct 4, 2011
Cougar Martin
Oct 5, 2011
Cougar Martin
Thanks Leila, the animals mean so much to me that it's hard for me to speak about them to people I don't know. I feel like I've known you for a very long time. Maybe in another lifetime. You have such a good heart and great ideas. I can fight in a war, but I can't speak to people that I don't know. I could never really promote the sanctuary. I can just tell about the animals.
Oct 6, 2011
Cougar Martin
I feel the same way about snakes. They are special to me and very wise. If I'm overwhelmed, tensed, etc. I can get Sunshine out and just hold her and it will relax me and slow me down. I can get rid of frustration by brushin' one of the horses. If I need energy, I can get that from holdin' one of the dogs. They seem to know it and will come to me.
I believe that we're all family too. Don't think me weird, but I can communicate with animals. I sense things before they happen. I go in a crowd and can feel vibrations, emotions, etc. I reckon that's why I'm a recluse, so I'm not gettin' jumbled up feelin's from everybody that I come near. Luv, Cougar
Oct 11, 2011
Cougar Martin
Oct 11, 2011
Swami. Cindy Ravenmoon PhD.
Oct 17, 2011
Cougar Martin
Oct 23, 2011
Sky a.k.a. JD Aeon
Oct 24, 2011
Sky a.k.a. JD Aeon
Oct 24, 2011
L. Love
Oct 28, 2011
Sky a.k.a. JD Aeon
Thank you! Blessed be!
Oct 30, 2011
Cougar Martin
Nov 1, 2011
L. Love
Nov 5, 2011
Robin Ritter
123Friendster.com - More Dream Catcher Comments
All of life's disappointments,
But each disappointment is a chance
To draw closer to yourself -
Find your own strengths,
And realize that you can make it
Even when the dream shatters...
You begin to see that when one dream ends,
You can always begin to dream again -
And for as long as you can dream,
You can find new places in life,
Set new goals, and build a new and
More solid foundation, with new and
Better expectations of what life can offer...
With each disappointment you can
Better find yourself,
And see more clearly
Just how strong a person you're becoming.
"DON'T take anything personally.
NOTHING others do is because of you.
What others... say and do is a PROJECTION
of their own REALITY,
their own DREAM...
When you are IMMUNE to the opinions
and actions of others,
You WON'T be the victim or NEEDLESS suffering..."
Nov 6, 2011
Robin Ritter
"Trees, the Standing People
Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life." ~Hermann Hesse
By: Linda Iribarren
Magickal Graphics
All of life's disappointments,
But each disappointment is a chance
To draw closer to yourself -
Find your own strengths,
And realize that you can make it
Even when the dream shatters...
You begin to see that when one dream ends,
You can always begin to dream again -
And for as long as you can dream,
You can find new places in life,
Set new goals, and build a new and
More solid foundation, with new and
Better expectations of what life can offer...
With each disappointment you can
Better find yourself,
And see more clearly
Just how strong a person you're becoming.
"DON'T take anything personally.
NOTHING others do is because of you.
What others... say and do is a PROJECTION
of their own REALITY,
their own DREAM...
When you are IMMUNE to the opinions
and actions of others,
You WON'T be the victim or NEEDLESS suffering..."
123Friendster.com - More Autumn / Fall Comments
Nov 7, 2011
L. Love
Nov 10, 2011
Nathan
Hi Leila, I love your page! I have also always connected with cats and in particular black panthers. Love Nathan
Nov 12, 2011
Imani
Imani sending some fun your way!
Nov 13, 2011
L. Love
Good to hear you are feeling better sweetheart. Sending much love and hoping you keep warm there (((hugs)))
Nov 19, 2011
Nathan
Hi Leila, this is truly an amazing site that you have created and reading about you on your page is intriguing, beautiful and inspiring. I look forward to getting to know you more, although I realise that being the creator of the temple many many others will also want to get to know you too. Love Nathan
Nov 20, 2011
RobertO DurantE
Leila, 6 months is already a beautiful successful challenge, lets make double and double.
Nov 23, 2011
RobertO DurantE
Leila, thank you for your lovely comment........
Nov 27, 2011