Edgewalkers

Serving Those Who Walk Between the Worlds

Patricia Campanile

Your Unique Purpose

Edgewalker Senior Associate Patricia Campanile

“You are here to enable the Divine Purpose of the Universe to Unfold. That is how important you are!” Eckart Tolle.

Eckart Tolle’s quote is one of my favorite. There is only one of you in all of time. You matter! When you can really take that in, absorb the truth of who you are, a Divine individualized expression of the Universe, God, Higher Intelligence (or who or what you wish to call it), your life will shift. You start to become more soul identified and less ego defined. Awakening to this realization, the awareness and connection to this truth, is essential on many levels. For one, it supports you in finding, cultivating and contributing your unique purpose to your life, community, humanity and the planet.

Your unique purpose is an inside job FIRST that follows with your outer expression. Whether it is manifested in your work, professional or personal passion, relationships or creative endeavors, you and only you can bring your unique talents, personality, gifts, ideas, ways of being and doing to the world that no one else can. This is not about being special, it is about each of us acknowledging our Divine birthright to exist and embrace our worth. Every one of us can choose to accept and allow our own magnificence and live authentically from our heart, mind and soul. In turn we are more able and available to give the same to others in spite of our differences. This conscious choice alone will help humanity shift, transform and evolve.

Edgewalkers understand the importance of discovering our unique purpose and exploring our calling, even though it may look different for each of us. Even if we are unclear, or are in the midst of a transition, we know that we can always choose to make a difference and connect with our purpose by focusing on the Edgewalker skills and qualities. Some of these include risk-taking, vision, passion, play, and connecting with what comes natural for us, what brings us joy. At times this path can feel scary and many individuals feel like they are walking the path alone, or are misunderstood. It takes courage and commitment to follow your calling and embrace your unique purpose. However it is a risk worth taking. When you are authentically aligned with your true self/Self you also attract those of like mind, soul, purpose and can support one another on the journey . You can recognize and celebrate one another’s magnificence.

My favorite quote from my childhood is from the poet E.E. Cummings: “To be no one but yourself, in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you like everyone else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting.” It is time to let go of the fight and allow the love. To stop searching and allow your purpose to come forth. By embracing your authenticity as well as the unique contribution of others, a safe space is created that allows your unique purpose to be revealed to you, like a beautiful diamond that has been buried. You are a facet on that diamond. Each one of us can be the one of a kind individual that we are meant to be. It is your time to shine brilliantly. The world needs you. YOU need YOU!

The Importance of Spiritual Practice in Navigating Uncertainty

Edgewalker Senior Associate Patricia Campanile

We are not in control. The uncertain times we have been living in have shown us that regardless of our good intentions to plan, organize, make resolutions and control our lives we have been asked to let go and create a plan B. Whether change has been forced upon us or we had to make difficult and necessary decisions to shift our plans, we were often left with feelings of disappointment, sadness, frustration and despair. Unanswered questions, what’s next, what now, and feeling as if we are sailing through the “fog” of the unknown can also be an opportunity to discover, recover and apply spiritual practices that can guide us into our new future and evolving world.

I love how Thomas Merton describes uncertainty: “You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope.” My inherent Edgewalker nature and those of my colleagues and friends who share the Edgewalker journey are supported by our orientation to look to the future and focus on opening to new possibilities. To quote the wisdom of Buddha: ” To know and not to do is really not to know.” NOW is the time to do, and be, what we know! This is when “the spiritual rubber meets the road.” These are the times to support ourselves and one another by integrating and applying our spiritual practices and rituals, and modeling and walking our talk with integrity and courage. When Edgewalkers access their spiritual connection they are more easily guided by their intuitive wisdom, trust their faith in the Universe and rely on their inner strength.

Spiritual practices and ritual can anchor and guide you to stay balanced, centered and focused as you move away from familiar shores as the new horizons unfold. For many these practices are no longer optional but necessary to assist you in staying the course and discovering what is next with curiosity and an open heart and mind. What are your navigational “tools” as you sail through uncertainty? Some examples of spiritual practices and rituals include prayer and meditation, yoga and breath work, walking a labyrinth, reading books on personal and spiritual development, journaling, creating an altar and sacred space, setting intentions on the new moon and letting go of the old and what no longer serves you on the full moon. Space clearing and feng shui as well as creating a vision board can help you attract what you want. Being in the beauty and peace of Nature can ground and expand you and provide perspective as you step away from everyday life. Experiencing the energy of a group, whether online (such as Edgewalker Cafes) or in person gatherings such as drumming circles, support groups, church services, and sacred dance create the interconnectedness and support that community provides, whether it be the Edgewalker community or one you resonate with.

As you explore and reflect on your journey thus far, remember that the choices you have made throughout your life have brought you to this exact moment. There are no accidents. What will you consciously choose now with the knowledge and discernment you have accumulated over your lifetime? Are there spiritual practices and rituals you can add to your daily life to assist you as you move forward? Utilizing what you have learned and chosen to embrace along your journey develops the strength, the “muscle” of awareness, trust, courage and self-acceptance. Clarity and certainty are available to us if we are fully present, breathe and appreciate each moment. This is the greatest spiritual practice of all!

“Walking Between Worlds”

Patricia Campanile, Edgewalker Senior Associate

“Edgewalkers” by Contemporary Master Artist Dario Campanile 2021 oil on canvas http://www.campanileabstract.com/

Edgewalkers International evolved from Dr. Judi Neal’s book Edgewalkers: People and Organizations that Take Risks, Build Bridges and Break New Ground. The Edgewalker Organization mission is “Serving Those Who Walk Between the Worlds.” Judi says, “Edgewalkers are people who walk between worlds and have the ability to build bridges between different worlds. They have a strong inner life and are very grounded and effective in the everyday external world. This orientation looks to the future and is focused on openness to possibilities.”

My path as an Edgewalker often includes “walking between worlds.” My intention is balancing and integrating heaven and earth, spiritual practices and practical skills, embracing diversity and global cultures, being USA born and a global citizen. I value body, mind, spirit. I understand the importance of cultivating physical health, emotional well-being, intellect and knowledge, and the connection to deep intuitive wisdom and a universal faith in the Divine and Higher Intelligence. As a risk taker I know I must be grounded in order to break new ground while bridging others to new ways of thinking, being, seeing. My openness and willingness to live and work on the edge, out of the box, and unconventionally is fueled by my courage, passion and curiosity for change, transformation, evolution.

One of my favorite quotes is by Albert Einstein ” We cannot solve our problems at the level of consciousness we created them.” Collectively we find ourselves in times we have never experienced before. It is time to raise our consciousness, our awareness for a new paradigm for humanity. A shift in perspective and reality based on innovation and creative solutions will serve all of humanity. Many of the solutions we seek have not yet been realized. We are leaving behind a world that in many ways has not served us and is not sustainable. The space is opening up to growth opportunities as we spiral up to the next level of conscious awareness in order to bridge a new reality and break new ground. It is a time to embrace and access “walking between worlds” and explore what is available to us on other realms. Many of our answers await us here if we have the courage and curiosity, enthusiasm and energy, to go where we have never gone before. To create a new world that works for all of us is a (w)holistic balancing act that we can practice, integrate and celebrate together if we choose. Step to the edge of the unknown, the fear, the uncertainty. Our support and strength will come from trusting our inner wisdom and knowledge from our life experiences, launching us to new heights where we thrive and flourish as one planet!

The Purpose of Placeholders

Patricia Campanile, Senior Edgewalker Associate

In Dr. Judi Neal’s book “Edgewalkers”, she explains the five Archetypes of Change that people and organizations may adopt, depending on the situation. They affect the extent to which the organization can truly be on the leading edge. Placeholders, one of the Edgewalker Archetypes of Change, provide stability and predictability to the organization. One key positive point about Placeholders is that they keep the organization stable. They are the keepers of the boundaries and can keep an organization from going over the edge. However, a shadow side of Placeholders is their propensity to resist change for the sake of change and are comfortable with routine. They tend to be focused on the past, but sometimes the past actually was better than the current situation.

As a certified Edgewalker Coach & Facilitator, I often work with clients on how to successfully navigate through the stages of transition. I support organizations, individuals and businesses to thrive and transform through change and uncertainty and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. The purpose of the Placeholder is holding the best practices of the company. They contribute to the necessary building blocks in creating a sustainable, strong foundation for new and innovative ideas as well as solidifying what is working. In a healthy way, Placeholders are the stable container, grounding the organization from going over the edge. They can bring forward from the past what works, which can be beneficial to future growth and evolution.

In the midst of transitions, whether internal or external, the Placeholders resistance can create conflict, stagnation and missed opportunities. Too focused on the past, afraid of change and the unknown, hesitant to take a risk, Placeholders can block the innovation and fresh ideas needed to create a new and thriving company that needs to be in sync with the current marketplace. As an Edgewalker, one of the ways I effectively have worked with a Placeholder is holding space for them to balance their healthy and shadow side.

What does it mean to “hold space” for someone else. It means I am willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they’re on without judging them, making them feel inadequate, trying to fix them, or trying to impact the outcome. When I hold space for other people, I open my heart, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgement and control. Sometimes I find myself holding space for people while they hold space for others. Placeholders can find it challenging and meaningful to hold space for the organization. It’s virtually impossible to be a strong space (place)holder unless we have others who will hold space for us. Even the strongest leaders and coaches need to know that there are some people with whom they can be vulnerable and weak without fear of being judged.

In my own roles as coach and facilitator, wife and friend, I do my best to hold space for other people in the same way. It’s not always easy because as a natural coach I have a very human tendency to want to fix people, give them advice, or judge them for not being further along the path than they are, but I keep trying because I know that it’s important. At the same time, there are people in my life that I trust to hold space for me. To truly support Placeholders (and anyone for that matter) in letting go, opening to their own growth and transformation, I have learned that I can’t do it by taking their power away, shaming them, or overwhelming them. I have to be prepared to step to the side so that they can make their own choices, offer them unconditional love and support, give gentle guidance when it’s needed, and make them feel safe even when they make mistakes. Holding space is not something that I can master overnight. It is unique not only in supporting Placeholders and their purpose, but each person and each situation. It is a balancing act, a complex skill that evolves as I willingly practice it.