M.K. Keene

M.K. is an old friend, occasional teacher, and very wise woman. Her answers to my questions were literate, practical, and inspiring -- just like M.K. herself.

The Second Circle: What is your background in Paganism? How long have you been practicing and what paths have you followed?

M.K. Keene: I began studying mythology, theology, and cosmology at around age 10. I have continued my study of these areas ever since. My interests in these areas are global, contemporary, and historic in nature.

I was "ordained" as a third-degree Priestess in a Sumerian teaching coven in 1997. I studied and participated in monthly activities for approximately 3 years before ordination. I was ordained as an initiate, first, and second degree practitioner at regular intervals before my third-degree trials. I am also a licensed minister through the Universal Life Church. I have married one couple, participated in one funeral, and supported many people in health and personal crises. I have also conducted individual training in empathy management, remote viewing, and dreamwalking.

TSC: How do you feel Paganism has changed since you started out?

M.K.: I believe that public awareness, and acceptance of at least some aspects of the "Neo-pagan movement" is increasing, as are the number of people interested in discovering alternatives to patriarchal monotheism.

I also notice that public discussions about pagan-related topics is much more common than it was thirty years ago.

I believe that the reason that the current Neo-pagan movement arose in the 1960's, and why it continues to thrive and expand today, is because many people are dissatisfied with what passes for "truth", according to their cultural heritage. The tenets of modern Paganism are not new. They have been expressed by aboriginal peoples for millennia, and they are described extensively in Oriental writings. The precepts of the many flavors of Paganism are persistent, and often, in direct conflict with modern "Western" thought. This dissatisfaction is growing, and the related tension is, too.

TSC: What is one thing that, in your eyes, characterizes the advancing Pagan?

M.K.: Wow, that's a tough one. My initial response is this: an advancing Pagan is one who "wears" a belief system that comfortably accommodates more than modern, Western European viewpoints about such areas as philosophy, theology, medicine, health, gender roles, sexuality, and even law. An advancing pagan, as you and I have defined it during our discussions of this topic, is someone who has moved beyond simple inquiry and investigation. The advancing individual is more involved in refining their Paganistic "practice", than trying to determine whether or not there is any merit to the Pagan belief systems they have investigated.

TSC: What advice would you give those who are just now leaving their beginning stage and looking to advance?

M.K.: "Gnothi se auton", or, "Know Thyself". I like the Delphic Oracle's admonition, and keep it in mind at all times. To decide to "progress" beyond the "beginning" or "seeker's stage" of any philosophic or theological belief system typically is the culmination of a lot of soul searching.

Deciding how to put one's new learning into practice is an individual effort that also involves yet another round of "going within", and this should be a regular practice throughout the remainder of the "advancing pagan's" life. Each person must decide what aspects of Paganism to accept into their own belief system, and what types of behaviors, rituals, and memberships they require, and for how long. Advancing Pagans may, and probably will change their reading preferences, ritual practices, tools, and formal affiliations during the course of their lifetimes. They may eventually even leave Paganistic belief systems and practices altogether. Who knows?

There is no single "right" path for any advancing Pagan to follow, other than the path of individual consciousness. One of my favorite philosophers, Ralph Waldo Emerson, wrote:

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do."

I agree. Emerson's contemporary and friend, Walt Whitman, wrote, "Reject that which offends your soul." They spoke these words to caution both young and elder minds about the dangers of mental stagnation that can ensnare all of us, if we are not dedicated to the honest and regular practice of introspection.

My advice: Live and learn Paganism naturally, where, when, and how it seems most appropriate TO YOU; then, you will know that the person you become is the creature of your own making. Many younger souls think that when a teacher tells them things like this, that we are being "lazy", "vague", or "unhelpful", or even unintelligent. Nothing could be farther than the truth.

It's damned hard work to live your life with your mind wide open, and far too easy to settle into the lazy complacency of adopting someone else's belief system without fully understanding if it is truly your own. Paganism is no different than Christianity, or any other belief system, in that sense, and many "emerging" practitioners are willing to adopt groups, behaviors, or practices that don't quite "fit" their true nature, for many reasons. I believe a person's study and practice should change naturally, and comfortably, as their learning, meditation, and experience expands, and that introspection will provide both the impetus, and keys for change, when change is called for.

I'll leave this topic by repeating one last quote by George Iles: "Doubt is the beginning, not the end, of wisdom." It was doubt in the sufficiency of their own belief system that lead seekers to investigate Paganism, and I believe that it is a healthy level of doubt, and self-reflection that will assist them as they move into their practice.

TSC: If you could go back in time and speak with yourself in your first year as a Pagan, what advice would you give to you?

M.K.: Three things:

FIRST:
LISTEN TO AND OBEY YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS! That is so hard for me to do, because that "first instinct" I get about people, choices, responses, etc., is SO right, but these "impressions" are as fragile as soap bubbles, and twice as fleeting.

SECOND:
Don't worry so much about what other people think about how you live your life. Your greatest detractors usually have the least involvement in your life, and don't provide much help, either. So, why is what they think so damned important?

THIRD:
Seek those who are active, aware agents in their own progress as sentient beings. Avoid associating with people who are chronically engaged in acts of self-destruction, and be aware of their many "disguises". Regardless of their philosophy or practice, it will fail to help them overcome chronic self-destructive tendencies, because their deepest belief is that their salvation will come from some outside agent, or that their lack of salvation is the fault of some outside agent. Observing and associating with these folks is a troublesome, and futile exercise that begins with compassion or pity - - moves into frustration - - and ultimately, ends in intolerance and avoidance. Association with such persons is draining in all aspects, and imbalanced. They provide very little, and take so much!

TSC: What are the challenges you face as a more experienced Pagan? How do you meet those challenges?

M.K.: I fear a return to darker times, and it is a difficult challenge to be a part of a movement to prevent that. The move beyond monotheistic patriarchy is still in its infancy, and it is very fragile, and I often doubt that I can do enough to really help it continue.

One of the greatest challenges I face as a writer and teacher is to live according to my beliefs in a world that largely does not respect or follow a path similar to mine. I am often lonely, and sometimes, frightened. I detest "living in the closet at work", but I often have, and I expend a lot of energy through anger and resentment from time to time, although I know it does no good.

I tread lightly around those of opposing viewpoints, because they are in the majority, and because I have found that I am a more effective agent of change once people have gotten to know me well, and learn to respect me. Once they like the person they know, they are often amenable to learning about and tolerating my "real beliefs".

Closely related is the difficulty I experience as I attempt to introduce and teach tolerance for different cultures and belief systems, without assaulting existing sensibilities. To "hit people over the head" with alternate views often leads them to cling more tightly to their own beliefs, and fosters antagonism toward the "different" or "other". But it is SO hard, sometimes, to keep my "2 cents" to myself.

TSC: Do you have any rules or maxims that you follow? If so, what are they?

M.K.: A. "There is nothing permanent except change." Greek philosopher Heraclitus is said to have coined this phrase this in approximately 500 B.C., and it has been repeated many times since. I'll bet he wasn't the first great thinker to make this observation, but I keep Heraclitus' immortal words up on my office wall, and I read it every day. I am not always entirely comfortable with the constant flux that is existence, but I manage it better when I keep this maxim in mind.

B. "And ye harm none, do as thou wilt." It is impossible to follow, in the strictest literal sense, but I support the sentiment as much as I can. All things that exist do so through the conversion of something else, again and again, and again. This conversion is change, and change is simultaneously destructive and creative. If I kill a colony of streptococcal bacteria that is killing me, I am causing harm to the bacteria, etc. . .

I do, however, try to MINIMIZE the harm I cause, and keep that thought in mind as I go through my daily life. This simple maxim also reminds me to do my best to exercise "due diligence" when considering the potential consequences of my actions.

TSC: What are your primary areas of focus, spiritually speaking? If you are active in your local Pagan community, in what capacity do you see yourself working?

M.K.: My primary areas of focus have always been Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and certain Native American beliefs and practices. I have been studying these areas since I was a child. My primary interest in Neo-paganism was the many beliefs it shares with these other practices.

I am more or less "retired" now. I spent many hours during the past 17 years in study and practice with Wiccans, other pagans, curanderas, caciques, nurses, counselors, and teachers. I also studied with academic leaders in philosophy, theology, mythology, psychology, sociology, and ethics, and of course, I read lots and lots of books!

I did a lot of counseling during the past decade, and provided support to quite a few ceremonies for the healing of the land, and of people. I even worked with some very good friends to build a "pagan friendly" private retreat in the southern Rocky Mountains. It was great fun!

Now, I am resting and living in relative solitude. I enjoy observing plants, animals, and people, and I enjoy being rather anonymous wherever I go (I recently moved to the East Coast from the Desert Southwest, so anonymity is possible, and refreshing). My children are grown, and I have a full-time job. I spend a lot of time hiking in the woods, and by the sea. I am preparing to head out to sea for a few years on my own boat. This will be the second time I have done this, and I need these periods in my life. I took in a whole lot of information during the 7 years since I last went to sea, and I need this time to let it all "soak in".

TSC: Where do you see your Pagan path heading next? What goals or plans do you have for the future?

M.K.: I have no idea! I am learning more about Tibetan Buddhism, and I plan to go visit a dear friend in Bhutan in a few years, and tour the country. She is going to go to work for the Bhutanese government. Another friend is planning to move to Hong Kong, and I want to visit there, too, and play tourist.

I plan to spend the remainder of my life traveling as broadly as possible, and continuing to learn more about the beliefs, customs, and practices of minority people around the world, while they still exist. I plan to write travelogues to support my trips, and tell tales of the world I see today. I am currently writing my first book; it is about our previous year at sea. I also want to write novels that lampoon the evil, stupidity, and inefficiency of militarism and corporate greed.

I would travel to space, if we had our technology together, but it looks like I am restricted to this planet for the duration of this lifetime! "sigh"

I plan to get my scuba license, instead, and explore "inner space" more deeply than I have been able to as a snorkler. I'm going to spend a lot of time swimming with whales, dolphins, and other sea creatures. Everyone who knows me knows I am half mermaid, and I have been landlocked for far too long.