The Infinite Field of Possibilities: Viewing Change Through a Kaleidescope

Eastern philosophy tells us that the only constant in life is change. Often there is no warning. We engage in our activities each day feeling secure about the future. Then, suddenly, we are faced with a catastrophe. A new world is born, and our lives are forever altered. In these times of transition, what do we do? How do we move beyond fear and anger to live heartfully in the field of positive possibilities? In the context of 9/11, anthropologist, educator and award-winning author Angeles Arrien shares her deep wisdom and invites us to explore with Michael Toms the significance of change and how to view it in our lives in creative and practical ways. Arrien suggests that the great journey of life is made up of phases and changes, and that there are always signals and signposts to guide us. Says Arrien, "On 9/11, a window was opened to push us to look at the darkness and light. We have been initiated into a time where we need to dim the ego, befriend the shadow, and build bridges between polarity, paradox and opposition."

Angeles Arrien is an anthropologist, educator, and a consultant to the medical, academic, and corporate communities worldwide. She has taught at the University of California, California Institute of Integral Studies, the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and the Alaya Institute, and is the founder of the Angeles Arrien Foundation for Cross-Cultural Education and Research. She is the author of numerous articles and books, including The Tarot Handbook (Arcus Publishers 1987), The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary (HarperSanFrancisco 1993), The Nine Muses: A Mythological Path to Creativity (Tarcher/Putnam 2000), and The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom (Sounds True 2005).