Jiro Taylor wisely and compassionately pointed out to me that some of my recent writings about the ‘transformation industry’ contained a fair bit of ego-projection.
Ironically, I used the stickiest shadows of the ‘industry’ to caricature the entire space.
I projected the hypocrisy I was noticing within myself, onto the entire space.
I was looking for a monster to blame for what I was seeing in myself, and so I turned the space into an ugly monster.
My words did not come from a truly centered and balanced place, but were tainted with undertones of resentment.
I’m tangentially reminded of Nietzsche’s legendary statement: “Whomsoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.”
That’s not to say that the transformation space does not have real shadows that it would be wise to look at.
It does, I feel.
And I believe shadow work—brutally honest self-observation and realness about one’s subtle blindspots and hypocrisies—is an essential lifelong practice for anyone venturing into the space.
At the same time, I was not fully in integrity in the way that I was pointing this out.
I was distorting the truth and subtly victimizing myself in order to avoid fully taking responsibility for my current deep process of trauma healing and shadow integration.
I own this, and I want to publicly thank Jiro for having the compassion to give me this ‘tough love’ reflection that I needed to hear. Jiro, you see far, brother, and you are a true friend.
I want to state clearly that many of the absolute greatest human beings I have ever met, are men and women working in the space of transformation—men and women creating healing, awakening, and empowering spaces for others, with tremendous care and skill.
My life has been forever changed by coming in contact with people like my fiance Tanja, Jon Brooks, Remi & Ashley Delaune, Jiro Taylor, Aylanur Sage, Kana Knox, Trevor West, Cory Altenhofen, Jonathan MacCaul, Sasha Nova, Austin Otting, Eric Brown, Aleksander Brankov, Peter Brown, Nic Stubbs, Adam Rice, Salisha Khan, Natalia Esposito, Marie Lou Greschbach, Anke Evore, Jonathan Weisberger, Leslie Lau, Steve Brophy, Andrew Kilgour, Cam Speck, Jacob O’Neil, Martijn Schirp, Jordan Lejuwaan, Mike Slavin, Eric Fisher, Philippa Wilkin, Nora White, Brady Heath, Austen Wigglesworth, Mariana Pinzon, Angela Toomey, Jonathan Toniolo, Rowan Gillies, Alistair Langer, Kevin Lawrence, Melissa Stangl, Markus & Gabriela & Laura of Finca Exotica, Mauro & other indigenous shamans, Anna Pigden, Mia Migliero, Mayryanna & Promise Craver, Melissa Richardson, Nikhil Kale, Dane Tomas, Juliet Tang, Sam Austin, Gerry Powell, Bentinho Massaro, Sanya Manzoor, Gilad Gorbonos, Atlas Bliss, Mark Geenen, Zameer Kurji, Ula Jestem, and many others who I’m forgetting here.
When I feel into this soul-family of gorgeous beings, my heart swells with loving appreciation. What a difference it makes to know that such people are in the world, doing their thing, playing their part, each in their own perfectly-imperfect, divine, and oh-so-human way.
For all its shadows, the transformation space is also home to countless authentic healers, teachers, guides, space-holders, activators, cage-melters, and awakeners of the tenacious human spirit.
I am immeasurably blessed to call so many of these beings my family and friends.
Thank you, from the depths of my heart, to all of you—and to all those out there doing this sacred work with integrity, wisdom, and compassion.
Amen.
Love,
Jordan
P.S. Since some people have been asking, to be clear: This post was not intended to negate my prior observations. I believe much of what I said in my prior posts was accurate. *And* simultaneously there was an imbalance there—and things for me to look at related to *the energy I was coming from* in making those posts. I believe that my prior posts + this post taken together, now present a more complete picture.
Afterword
Men: You have about 14 days left to apply for Brothers of the Ever Innocent Heart. This intimate brotherhood journey is primarily rooted in the medicines of Radical Transparency and Love—shared by a group of courageous men who are willing to speak their naked truth and hold one another in unconditional non-judgment.
There will also be other practices, transmissions, ceremonial elements, shadow work aspects, and rites of passage incorporated as well. This is something deeply sacred to me that I sense will be uncommonly healing, integrative, and liberating for the men involved.
The time-commitment is four months or more, to ensure a deep journey. The monthly financial contribution for this journey is flexible: $222/month is the standard recommended contribution, but I am wide open to brothers contributing a monthly sum that feels workable and aligned for them. If I sense that a man is truly ripe and meant for this experience, finances will not be an obstacle.
If you feel called to know and relax into the Wholeness that you already are, and to rebirth into a more honest and artful incarnation of your essence, apply here and schedule a call with me.
Love,
Jordan
Jordan Bates is a father, mystic, writer, rap artist, beat-maker, space-holder, and MC. You are welcome to keep up with his shenanigans on Instagram, Telegram, Twitter, Facebook, and/or YouTube.