For this 21st edition of The Distillation, my intention is to share a paradigm of supporting leaders, in an informed and empowered way, aligned with sovereignty.
The past several years I’ve changed how I participate and involve myself with politics.
A big part of me knows that it’s mostly a disempowered system that isn’t for my best good.
Questions would arise like, “Why would I waste my time with this?”
Or statements like, “I’ll point my energy towards something meaningful.”
Or something similar.
Judgement would also arise, as I observed childish behavior from supposed world leaders.
Even with all that, there was a small part of me that felt like I should participate in some way.
Because I want to be connected to humanity, not live in a vacuum.
This Distillation will provide a paradigm of integrating individual sovereignty with supporting leaders at levels bigger than your community.
Prepare yourself, it is political in nature, but the wisdom is applicable to any leader you may support at any level.
I’ve felt resistance writing this one, but here it goes (It also feels timely to share).
Over the past few years, I’ve observed a battle within myself.
It was centered around the friction of “doing things my way” with “there is already a way that works”.
It showed up in business. Things like marketing strategies that were tried and true, yet didn’t feel right for me.
It showed up in relationships. Like I knew I needed to take a certain step, but I couldn’t explain it well with someone.
These external experiences were a result of what was happening internally.
So what did I do?
I would go back and forth between the two.
It felt like I was watching a tennis match, sitting right in front of the net.
My head would go back and forth to each side as the game progressed.
This internal resistance is like that, I thought it has to be either one way or the other.
But it doesn’t have to be that.
The solution to this conflict is near the end of this Distillation (keep reading).
Although resistance may be disorienting and even painful at times, there is one advantage.
This view gives you more detail into the nature of what you’re navigating.
Aka “experience”.
The resistance we experience, isn’t to be denied or avoided, but rather explored through curious inquiry.
Through that, we gain a better understanding of the situation and ourselves.
Let’s begin with a working definition of Sovereignty:
Sovereignty is the authentic expression of an individual's unique essence, harmoniously integrated within the greater whole.
Being sovereign has nothing to do with being against something.
Rather, it’s about owning who you are and expressing yourself fully.
I’ve noticed a trend in those who claim sovereignty for themselves. They often have a strong opinion on current systems of the world and desiring to rid themselves of it.
I can definitely see their point.
So as I pointed my energy towards something meaningful, I began to explore individual sovereignty.
I explored “my way”.
It has brought me to interesting revelations (which I’m sure I’ll eventually share).
But enough about me.
You have a very specific, beautiful path that you and you alone will take.
It will encompass you, your family, your work and community.
All navigated custom to your journey.
Each person in your life playing a wonderful role.
Let’s talk about a simple example, your body.
Your heart is its own “sovereign” organ.
Your brain is its own “sovereign” organ.
Your skin is its own “sovereign” organ.
Each of these isn’t being something it’s not.
Each is authentically expressing what it is.
I can imagine the heart isn’t judgmental of the brain doing what it does.
All these "sovereign" organs form a greater whole (your body).
Let’s continue with your body.
You’re the leader of the trillions of cells in your body.
Those trillions of cells form your tissues, organs and every other part of your body.
Here’s a question: How good of a leader are you with your body?
Ok, let’s move on to others.
Some peoples role in the world is to lead, all at various levels of leadership.
We also know from experience, not all leaders are great.
We can support a leader and then all of a sudden, they do something weird or unexpected.
In many ways, our reputation is connected with those we support.
During my exploration of individual sovereignty, I intentionally didn’t support leaders at the national level.
I didn’t feel it was useful to me or the people around me.
This was rooted in my own standards of leadership.
After a period of organizing my thoughts around this topic, I’ve been able to peacefully move forward.
In a big way, my heart desires to be connected to humanity.
I don’t need to go out and be an activist.
I don’t need to go out and be against stuff.
I don’t need to go out and change the world.
I can simply be me, authentically express who I am and support those I feel I can support at that moment.
When new information arises, I can reassess my support.
To bring back the analogy of the body for a moment.
All the aspects within yourself and body, how do they look up to you?
Do you think they support you, even when you make knuckle-headed decisions? (I know I’ve made many lol)
Perhaps you’re a leader that deeply cares for your body (and all its parts).
And that’s a beautiful thing.
When you develop leadership within yourself that deeply cares, you quickly identify what leaders you can support (discernment).
When you’re in leadership positions, what kind of support would you desire from those around you and the ones that resonate with your values?
Each of us sovereign individuals make up a greater whole (humanity).
So how do we put all this into practice?
Here is a very general rule of thumb.
Take this with a grain of salt and make it your own.
Generally speaking, if you focus 80% of your energy, time, awareness and attention on your individual sovereign journey, you’ll be doing the world a great service.
You simply being yourself is the greatest gift you can give humanity.
The remaining 20%, you can support organizational, community, religious / spiritual and political leaders at your discretion.
It could be 90/10.
It could be 95/5.
And of course it doesn't have to be exact at all.
When you become a better leader within yourself, you naturally identify great leaders and can support the right ones for you.
Let’s go back to the tennis analogy.
Instead of you being so close to the net in that game of tennis, zoom out.
You won’t have “either this side or that side” dynamic. It’s all part of one picture you’re able to view comfortably.
You’ll see more a 100% view of your life (80+20).
You realize that both sides of the game are part of the full picture.
As you take your next step, be yourself 100%. And know that you’re also connected to humanity.
None of us are in a vacuum.
Together, we can cultivate interdependence that’s healthy, mature and empowering.
Although this is often a serious topic, it doesn’t always have to be.
Life is a game, meant to be played.
Speaking of games, both sides have their role too.
We may not fully understand the nature of other people’s role, but genuine and curious inquiry can often lead to better understanding.
There is wisdom in the light.
There is wisdom in the shadow.
You can unify and harmonize the two.
Play your authentic role, while encouraging and empowering others to do the same.
Alright, let’s make good on the solution I hinted at about internal resistance.
Embrace 100% individual sovereignty and 100% supporting the collective.
They are actually one and the same (it’s not either / or).
When you are yourself, you support the bigger picture.
When you support leaders you resonate with, you’re helping yourself.
It’s 100% all of it, all the time.
You have the capacity to hold it all.
The mind won’t understand this logically. But sit with it and see what emerges.
Within the next 2-3 days, do the following:
After you have done this, you can then evaluate the kinds of leaders you’ve supported in the past. See if any insights or epiphanies emerge.
That’s it for this edition of The Distillation.
Wish you a great rest of your day!
With Joyful Sovereignty,
Lane
P.S. If you enjoyed this edition, share this link on your social media or with a friend who you think would enjoy reading this.
P.P.S. The Peru journey this November is gonna be an amazing time for exploration, expansion and play. If you’re a man seeking the next level, join the Masculine Archetypal Activation Journey. Click here to learn more.