1. THOU SHALT ACTUALLY READ THE GROUND RULES: "I didn't know" is NOT an excuse.
This forum is created --------- to allow the connectedness we have when in circle to continue beyond the formal setting of class or a workshop or a gathering, ----------to provide an avenue for us to discuss spiritual issues and to seek answers to our questions from the broad range of experience contained in the Spirit Hollow community, ----------and to allow us to support each other as we walk our individual path through life.
2. THOU SHALT RESPECT EVERYONE ON THE FORUM. We are all relations; everyone has a place and a purpose on the Wheel. Treat others as you would expect to be treated, with courtesy and an open mind.
3. THOU SHALT NOT DISCUSS POLITICS. Spirit Hollow is a tax-exempt non-profit organization and cannot be involved in the political arena. This does not preclude your private messages to each other.
4. LET THY LIGHT SHINE. We have a feature that allows you to indicate where you are (your general area) on the map. This way, if people want to get together for a healing circle, a drumming circle, a ritual, a commemorative ceremony or an impromptu shamanic rave, you know who's close by. (You can do this by simply entering your Zip Code, not your street address, on the site that will give you your GPS coordinates.)
5. RESPECT THY BROTHER'S AND SISTER'S WALL. Comments posted on the WALL on someone's profile can be read by other members; see GROUND RULE 2.
6. THOU SHALT NOT POST "CHAIN LETTERS". No matter how well-intentioned they might be, they still have a binding element; don't put your brothers and sisters in that kind of obligated-whether-they-will-or-not situation. Again, see GROUND RULE 2.
7. RE-READ RULES 1 THROUGH 6.
8. KNOW THAT I AM WATCHING.
While I'm not online 24/7, I do check in periodically. Everyone is expected to be courteous and respectful to everyone else. For the fourth time, see GROUND RULE 2. Offenders will receive a private reminder first. A second offense will get you banned from posting for a month; a third will get your forum membership canceled.
Spirit Hollow has always been and continues to a welcoming place.
It doesn't matter who you are or what you believe; if you come to Spirit Hollow, you are welcomed with genuine love. I want the forum to mirror that.
There is a broad range of experience and ability in the Spirit Hollow network, from curiosity seekers to beginners to people who have studied with the top names in the field of shamanic studies and practice. Regardless, everyone should make an effort to share what they can and to be supportive, not dismissive, of those who may not be as far along the path as yourself. After all, we all had to start somewhere.
One of the purposes of the forum is to provide an opportunity to connect with others. On the member profile, there is a map and I'd encourage you to list yourself on it. If you follow the link to get your GPS position for your zip code, you can post your location on the map. If you then expand the map out, you can see the push pins indicating where other forum members are. You may find a group close to you that you can contact, either through a general discussion or a private message, to create circles and gathering in your own area. You also have the option of listing your address/e-mail info if you choose.
People should have fun, including joking with each other if you are comfortable doing that. Be mindful, however, that what may be a private joke between good friends may be offensive to someone in the general public. On the member's profile listing, there is a section called "The Wall." Here, people can post comments about that member. Since these are visible to everyone, please be respectful in your comments.
Spirit Hollow is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, subject to all the legal restrictions that go with that status. We cannot endorse political candidates or parties or specific pieces of legislation over others. That does not mean, however, that you can't enter into a general discussion of war, famine, suffering and they environment as these things affect humanity and the World on a spiritual/soul level. Why is it so hard for humans to live in harmony? Is global warming a product of human activity or is it part of a greater cycle in the growth and development of Gaia? Several months ago, I heard an Inuit elder responding to a reporter who was asking him about global warming and its effects on the ice and the animals in the Arctic. "The world has gone through many changes," he said; "Whatever the reason, the challenge to us is to find a way to adapt again as we have done in the past when changes occurred. That is how we have remained a people." How can I adapt my way of being so that I tread as lightly on Mother Earth as possible? These, and others, are all legitimate questions that go beyond politics and the discussion of personalities and political ideologies.
I have seen advertised several times in several places an "Elven Love Ring" (as a carry-over from the Lord of Rings movies). It was inscribed something like "One ring to hold them; one ring to find them; one ring to join them and in love bind them." Lovely sentiment; but given it's soursce, it is still a binding spell no less so than the original One Ring inscription. In a similar way, we might send out something that is intended to bestow luck or healing or miracles in people's lives, but in fact, that they are required--compelled if you will--to do certain things or perform certain tasks for the luck or the healling or the miracles to appear is merely another type of binding, of putting people in the very awkward position of creating some negative result if they fail to do what has been imposed upon them. Even telling someone to "Send this to 10 friends in the next 10 minutes" puts the person in the position of having to decide which 10 to send it to and what happens with the other 10 if the person doesn't include them; imagine the impact of the "DON'T BREAK THE CHAIN; John Smith's teeth fell out when he failed to pass this powerful blessing along." As I said, the intention is very innocent and well-meaning, but the implied obligation is really an imposition on the freewill of another. Such messages should be grounded and released. So, please don't put your sisters and brothers in such situations by posting these things.
If you can abide by these terms, everyone's experience with Echoes will be lively, educational, supportive and most importantly enjoyable.