Not from Here

I am writing this missive for all my sisters and brothers who like me, feel like an alien in this world. There are many (if not most) days where I am truly certain that:

I AM NOT FROM HERE!

What’s funny about this is that I’ve never really been “from” anywhere. Having moved around a lot as a child – a trend that continued into adulthood, I’ve always been starting over – trying to make new friends, find a way to fit in (or not), etc.  Geographically I’ve always felt like

a stranger in a strange land.

Beyond the geography of things, I have never felt like I fit in or that I belonged. For one thing, I was way too smart!  From a very early age I saw through people, places, practices, teachings, rituals, and things. I questioned anything and everything that didn’t make logical sense or that struck me as just plain wrong. I saw through people’s lies. I knew when someone was phony. I understood (even without the language to describe it) that certain conditioning was just plain wrong. I had a very strong sense of right and wrong and others knew it.  As you can imagine, this got me into a fair bit of trouble – the straight A student with unsatisfactory conduct grades because I couldn’t help but challenge something when I knew it to be wrong.

I wasn’t trying to be an asshole.  I just knew in my heart that human beings were capable of so much more.  They could be honest, authentic, kind, gentle, generous, non-violent, loving, accepting, and peaceful. I knew this because

Where I come from people are kind and want to do good.

On this planet, however, it seems this is not always (rarely?) the case.  When I experience cruelty, violence, hatred, deception, betrayal, it breaks my heart.  When I see others being treated cruelly or unfairly judged because of the color of their skin or who they chose to love, my heart is crushed.  When I see people struggle with poverty, hunger, homelessness, joblessness, I feel the needlessness of this in a world that is abundant with everything people need to survive and to have a rich and meaningful life.

More troubling than this is it seems like nobody cares.  Very few are willing to take a stand for the real potential of human beings to create a kind and loving world where everyone’s needs are met and where we can all live in peace. When human beings are not willing to do the simple work of creating a loving world, I am even more certain that

I’m not from here.

It’s really quite simple. We live on an abundant planet and we have the resources, ingenuity, and technology to ensure the life of every species on this planet. We have the capacity within us to stop all wars and to redirect those funds to saving our planet, educating our children, providing meaningful work, and adequate healthcare to every single human being. The potential is within us and I know this to be true because it was true on whatever world I really came from. 

Jesus said it really well:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15: 18-19

More proof that I’m really not from this world!


One-on-One Mentoring

Lauri has been called “one of the world’s best kept secrets.” Her work in supporting you in your journey of self-actualization is like nothing you’ve ever experienced.

No shiny objects! No gimmicks. No B.S.

Lauri supports you in getting straight to the heart of what is preventing you from living as your most authentic self and from experiencing enduring contentment in your life; helping you to identify and then heal and transform the wounds, past traumas, and societal conditioning that is keeping you from being free.

Not a Life Coach

It is easy for many to assume that the mentoring work I do is a sort of life coaching.  It is not.

There is an appropriate time and place for the kind of behavioral change and strategic planning favored in life coaching, cognitive behavioral therapy, and recovery programs. There are times in all our lives where we must make a concerted effort to change certain behavior or thought patterns, for our own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. There are also times when it is helpful to have a strategy and accountability in making that change.  

Whereas Life coaching, cognitive behavioral therapy (without process work) and recovery programs tend to place their focus on the externals, the services, and programs I provide focus on the internals.

The work that I support clients and students in accomplishing focuses its attention and work on the internal wounds, false perceptions and conditioning that created the unhealthy thoughts and external behaviors in the first place. When we heal these wounds, the unhealthy thoughts and behaviors simply become no longer necessary. The transformational work in which I support my clients and students creates enduring, long-term healing, thereby eliminating the effort required when we are otherwise trying to change.  

Here we no longer need to try because our being itself has changed.

That does not mean that the support I offer doesn’t require work.  In fact, it might be the most difficult work one might accomplish in one’s life. It is for this reason that few find themselves drawn into this work and fewer remain.  To stare down the barrel of our deepest wounds, past traumas, false perceptions, and patriarchal/hierarchical conditioning requires an enormous amount of courage. It then takes persistence, tenacity, discipline, and support to stay with the deep process work that liberates us from these wounds so that we can really and truly be free.

This work might be compared to the fire of a forge that releases metal of its impurities while bringing forth what is precious within.  Through my support, those who do this work discover the truth of who they have always been – beautifully unique and precious in their own way, and confidently empowered to be their truest self in the world for the sake of their own fulfillment and in service to the betterment of the world.  

While the work requires effort, the outcome proves to be effortless.

Lauri Ann Lumby is a trained Spiritual Director with a Master’s Degree in Transpersonal Psychology who has been mentoring individuals in their journey of self-actualization for over 25 years. Lauri further supports self-actualization as a Reiki Master Practitioner and through ancestral shamanic practices.

Lauri primarily works remotely over the phone or via ZOOM.

Schedule your appointment by emailing:

lauri@lauriannlumby.com

or calling:

(920) 230-1313

Freedom from Longing

It could be said that longing is the bane of human existence, but it would be more accurate to say:

Misdirected Longing is the Bane of Human Existence

Longing is the natural consequence of choosing the human condition.  Longing arises out of our false perception of separation from Source.  Longing is the calling of the Soul to return to Union, drawing us home to ourselves. The destination of longing rightly directed is an embodied experience of peace, contentment, and joy.  Here we feel safe and secure in all that we are and with all we are experiencing because through deep inner work, we have freed ourselves from longing by coming home to ourselves.

Misdirected longing, in contrast, provides no fulfillment because instead of turning our longing inward we have projected it outward. Misdirected longing is rooted in the belief that our longing will be satisfied by something outside of us.  We believe, and have been led to believe, that the fulfillment of our longing will come when we make enough money, find the right job, achieve the next promotion, find the next true love, move to a new location, find a new home, buy that new car, etc. etc. etc.  We are also told that longing will be fulfilled when we lose weight, achieve a certain dress size, find a remedy to the signs of our aging bodies, buy a new wardrobe, etc. etc. etc.

Longing projected outward will always leave us dissatisfied, unfulfilled, anxious, and insecure.

We are freed of longing when we turn that longing inward – directing it toward all the parts of ourselves that feel unloved, unacceptable, imperfect, and flawed. In freeing ourselves of longing we are also invited to direct that longing inward toward every experience of our lives that we have judged as wrong, shameful, mistaken, or misguided.  Longing arises when we have forgotten that we are LOVE and that everything happening in our lives has come about for the purpose of that LOVE. Longing finds its fulfillment when we remember that LOVE – this alone is the purpose of the human experience.

Become FREE of Longing:

Mary Magdalene and the Path of Beloved Partnership Live/online course

Starting January 17, 2022

Beloved Partnership is a term that has been alternatively associated with concepts such as soulmate or twin flame.  Beloved Partnership is neither of these.  Beloved Partnership has nothing to do with the human pursuit of external love. 

Instead, the longing for Beloved Partnership and its resulting pursuit can only be satisfied from within.

Reclaiming an Ancient Role

One upon a time, there were women who lived apart.  They lived quietly, gently, and humbly.  The women were content in their aloneness because they were introverted in temperament and had accomplished the deep work of self-actualization.  They knew themselves.  They knew their gifts.  They knew how they were called to use those gifts, not only for the sake of their own fulfillment, but in service to the world.  They had no need for another to complete them as they were complete unto themselves.

These Women Were Considered Wise

In the ancient of days, the people turned to these women for healing, counsel, and guidance.  Those people dared the perceived dangers of the wilds and the vast wildernesses of desert and mountain seeking out these wise women – with nothing but rumored directions to guide them.  When they found these wise women, they discovered a place where they felt not only welcome but celebrated.  The wise women invited them in with a warm embrace, something to quench their thirst and a place to rest their weary soul.

And then the real work began.

At the feet of the wise women, people poured out their grief, raged their frustrations, wailed over their experiences of loss, heartbreak, and betrayal.  The wise women listened without judgment, with eyes looking keenly, ears listening deeply and a heart open to receive all that the seekers needed to release. 

Once the releasing was done, the questions began.  “Who am I?  Why am I here?  Why can’t I find love, happiness, joy, fulfillment, etc. etc. etc.  Who and what is God?  Is there even a God?  Why does my heart ache when I see the suffering of humanity and how can I stave off the penetrating frustration over feeling helpless to do anything about it?”

The wise women listened and then with loving care, supported the seeker in finding the answers to all these questions. The wise woman knew that it was not she who had the answers, but that all the seekers sought was already within them.  The wise women simply helped them to find the key.

In ancient of days, these wise women could be found in the wild places.  They were also found in temples, cloisters, caves, and living in the hollow of giant trees.  Today, the wise women are found wherever you seek. 

This “wild wise woman” lives in a 150-year-old building of brick and stone in the heart of the city.  To find her, you need simply ask.  Those who know her know how to find her.

Lauri Ann Lumby

is a trained Spiritual Director with a master’s degree in Transpersonal Psychology. Lauri has been mentoring individuals and groups in their journey of self-actualization for almost 30 years. Lauri’s mentoring is enhanced through her training and practice as a Reiki Master Practitioner.

Lauri lives in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA, working primarily remotely through ZOOM or over the phone.

You can reach Lauri at lauri@lauriannlumby.com or (920) 230-1313.

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