Crossing a New Threshold
By Jennifer Desrosiers
Whether you are a Jubilee instructor or Jubilee student, we have all crossed “that” threshold.
I find myself experiencing apprehension and anxiety entering into leadership this Prairie Jubilee cycle. Crossing over a different kind of threshold than when I attended Jubilee for the first time.
At the start of Cycle 9, I had no idea what to expect and was open to all possibilities. As Cycle 12 begins, my inner voice asks; “Am I going to be able to live up to the expectations of a Jubilee Leader?” “What do I have to offer to Prairie Jubilee and these new people on their spiritual journey?”
That Earth Ego taking hold of me, not allowing me the chance to fully embrace this wonderful opportunity of learning in a different light. It allows me only glimpses of the exciting opportunity to explore a different side of myself. My nerves and thoughts get the better of me.
When I sit quietly, though, I know deep inside that this opportunity is a gift! I know my past experiences of teaching others has only impacted me positively. It always broadens my own learnings as I get to help others. When I allow this deeper knowing, it brings me joy,
In the first few weekends of Prairie Jubilee, I have met 15 bright individuals who have decided to take that leap over their own “threshold”.
When we are all in circle I feel warmly embraced and a place of refuge. I bear witness to the new connections this group is creating. A gathering of old souls and the re-kindling of a long-lost spark. Each time we gather together the flame of my inner hearth grows stronger and brighter.
As everyone in this group shares, I hear their desire. “I am here for transformation”, “I am here for deepening”, “I am here to speak my truth”. Each one speaks of their call to the deeper work of accountability and remembering who they are.
Jubilee offered me all these things and more and it has led me to where I am today. I am so excited to see where we will all go from here. There is a shared sense of how this work is paramount, not only for ourselves, but for humanity.
So, as these new seekers answer the call to their own work, Cheryl, Dale, Florence and I will walk alongside them continuing with our own call of transforming ourselves.
Jennifer Desrosiers
Prairie Jubilee Instructor
Carol Ann Gotch
Carol Ann Gotch is a spiritual director, teacher and workshop facilitator. She lives at Touchstone, a house of prayer and spiritual retreat, where she devotes much of her time to prayer and writing. The door of the enneagram was opened for her at Berkeley in the mid-seventies, masterfully taught by Bob Ochs, s.j. She speaks of how the enneagram has deepened all aspects of her life and she see its movement everywhere and in all.