
Real wisdom, the voice of the human spirit, is timeless, no matter the language or ‘parlance of the times’ it expresses in, or through whom it flows.
And those who invoke it — those who walk the Underworld or Hero’s Journey in which the timeless wisdom is remembered — and who then embody and in whatever way is true-to-purpose express it, are the transformative leaders of every age, whether publicly visible or quietly sowing the seeds of their purpose and alchemical ‘medicine’ in the world.
Here’s just one example, and a very timely one as you’ll see and sense. Read on …
Václav Havel was a Czech writer, playwright, philosopher, dissident, “moral visionary” and statesman during an epically transformative time.
In 1989, he became the first democratically elected president of Czechoslovakia in 41 years. After the split of Czechoslovakia, he was elected as the first president of the Czech Republic until 2003.
In December 2011, VoxEurop, in one of many heartful eulogies, shared this very telling description of Havel:
“Václav Havel lived in truth against ubiquitous conformism and hypocrisy.”

Havel’s writings, including the essay “The Power of the Powerless,“ are examples of how “words are a form of action, capable of influencing great change,” as Ingrid Bengis wrote.
Again and again, he emphasized that at the root of so much violence, dysfunction, and societal challenge was “a crisis of the human spirit,” and he called for “a radical renewal of human responsibility” that was anchored in a higher ideal (and morality) and revitalized human spirit.
Havel’s inspiration and wisdom is very much in sync with the “energies (and astro) of now,” in fact.
He was born October 5, 1936 — with Sun and Mercury in Libra (where both are as I write this post), Saturn in Pisces, Aquarius Rising, Moon in Gemini, Mars and Neptune in Virgo, and Venus and Midheaven in Sagittarius.

In 1979, he said this about his own journey, though he would continue on for another 32 years:
“…we never decided to become dissidents. We have been transformed into them, without quite knowing how…
We simply went ahead and did certain things that we felt we ought to do, and that seemed to us decent to do, nothing more nor less.” (Wikipedia)
Here are several other bits of inspiration from this truly inspired, and inspiring, transformational leader:
“The kind of hope that I often think about … I understand above all as a state of mind, not a state of the world.
Either we have hope within us, or we don’t. It is a dimension of the soul. It’s not essentially dependent upon some particular observation of the world or estimate of the situation.
Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.”
“There is only one thing I will not concede: that it might be meaningless to strive in the good cause.”
“Isn’t it the moment of the most profound doubt that gives birth to new certainties? Perhaps hopelessness is the very soil that nourishes human hope; perhaps one could never find sense in life without first experiencing absurdity.”

“In any case, ideals are something we strive for; they are somewhere on the horizon of our efforts. They provide meaning and direction. They are not, however, static quotas that we either fulfill or not.”
“I feel that the dormant goodwill in people needs to be stirred. People need to hear that it makes sense to behave decently or to help others, to place common interests above their own, to respect the elementary rules of human coexistence.” ~ Above quotations, Václav Havel
Timeless wisdom is always timely, eh?
May we let it stir us alive, to call up what has heart and joy and passionate purpose for us, and to invoke the illuminated Way to grounding and expressing it in the world, in the unique way that is our own.
Big Love,
Thanks to VoxEurope, and to Jan Vihan via In the Fray, for inspired reflections on the wisdom embodied by Vaclav Havel.

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Jamie
October 10, 2015 at 5:29 pm
Wonderful post. Somehow, I wasn’t aware of this aspect of the man whom I saw from the news as the president of a newly free country. Thanks for sharing this information.
October 10, 2015 at 5:34 pm
Thank you, Malcolm. I’m glad you enjoyed it, and yes, he was quite a fount of inspiration and wisdom, and an actual statesman in a time of ‘plastic statesmen/women’. The Voxeurop and In the Fray posts linked at the end are good, and The Power of the Powerless, well, just have to read that. 🙂 ~ Jamie
October 10, 2015 at 11:14 pm
What a beautiful post. I look forward to reading more about Vaclav Havel’s wisdom, Thanks Jamie.
October 12, 2015 at 3:31 pm
You’re welcome. So glad you enjoyed the post! You’ll find an abundance of inspiration in Vaclav Havel’s writings (and speakings). Blessings, Jamie
October 11, 2015 at 4:20 pm
Many thanks for this post, Jamie. We surely, sorely need people like Vaclav Havel to remind us that each of us can, in our own way, use our power to bring some light to the world.
Yes, Moondark is always very powerful for me – having been born then – and over time I have got better at heeding its call to retreat, reflect, do something nourishing and renewing. Looking forward to this Libran New Moon!
October 12, 2015 at 3:30 pm
You’re welcome, Anne, and true enough … this sort of wisdom and the qualities of being are very much needed. Thankfully such people leave little candles lit behind them, in their words or art or other sharings, to inspire and guide those of us called to be the next wave of candle-lighters. 🙂 Moondark musings, indeed. May it be a happy and inspired New Moon. Blessings, Jamie
October 12, 2015 at 12:32 am
Great post, Jamie. Full of nuggets of wisdom and compassion. I particularly liked his definition of hope– the conviction that something makes sense. I’ve been letting that sink in for a bit, and see how insightful it is. What isn’t said, is that it includes that recognition, deep down, that what is right and good– what makes sense– will one day be all that remains…
Peace
Michael
October 12, 2015 at 3:28 pm
Thanks, Michael. I’m glad the shared-wisdom resonated with you. And he’d likely have agreed with you (and may well have said just that, about the recognition, deep down …). Thanks for stopping by. Blessings, Jamie
October 12, 2015 at 1:30 pm
Beautiful….
October 12, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Thank you, Pamela … I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by … xoxo Jamie
October 13, 2015 at 2:03 am
Reblogged this on Laura Bruno's Blog and commented:
“Timely” wisdom of the “timeless” variety. Thanks and love, Jamie!
October 23, 2015 at 12:02 pm
Wow, brilliant quotes. I love this guys writing. Very profound. Many thanks for this enlightening perspective. Warmest regards!
October 23, 2015 at 4:00 pm
You’re welcome, Leeby Geeby. It makes sense you’d resonate with Vaclav’s wisdom and inspiration! Blessings and Big Love, Jamie
October 24, 2015 at 5:41 am
Thank you. Yes, the world needs more inspired, ethically aware political leadership. When I hear of it, it’s always heartening!
October 24, 2015 at 6:13 pm
That’s for sure, Leeby Geeby! May it be ever more so as the days, months and years unfold. xoxo Big Love, Jamie
October 24, 2015 at 11:10 pm
Mote so it be. Much love.