Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

It is which much happiness and appreciation that I announce that we have added Lars/FastDart as a moderator for this group. 

I have found time and again that he is well grounded in metaphysical principles, supportive and active in this pod.  At this time, he is helping someone near and dear, as they approach their transition and prepare to go through that door we each will pass through eventually.  There is an intensity in that, which many of us here understand.

But know that he is ever here in heart and mind; and willing to be a support for any member, in their times of need or joy. 

So, it is with great pleasure that I add a bit of “male energy” to the function of moderator, the role that each of us who are moderators has, of being that support for all of the members in the pod, as they walk their own path of spiritual discovery.

Deb

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

Congratulations, Lars.

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

With the risk of sounding stupid, can anybody explain to me what it exactly is that a moderater does. Somehow the term has not been quite clear to me. I think of it as somehow helping putting and keeping the pod together.
Eventhough I have a pretty good command of the english language, I sometimes miss the point,  (also in some of the jokes and stuff that go around). I was talking about that today with Kathy and she said that most of the time she and her friends don't even think of that or realize that.
Anyway, having said that, and realizing it is a good thing to have an extra mod I think it's wonderful that Lars has offered his love and support for this, so thank you Lars.

As far as  …”he is helping someone near and dear, as they approach their transition….”

I have known the intensity of that quite some times since I was a young girl and Lars,  Bless Your Heart,  for doing that.

Lucienne

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

Alluvja / Lucienne,

I choose a moderator for maturity and life experience (so that I feel comfortable about whatever guidance they might provide for someone who seeks that here - really, we don't have many of those, this has ever seemed more like a “graduate” or “post-doctorate” course, than a beginner's one - though all are welcome and I'm not saying that the material is that hard to comprehend).  I chose those who have demonstrated, to my understanding of this, a deep understanding, knowledge and appreciation of the value of metaphysics. 

To me, a moderator is an addition to (as in Meenakshi with her cross-cultural perspective), and extension of, my role in the pod as cultivator but they are not necessarily like me personally.  Each has their own personality and unique gifts and qualities.  Most of the time, they are someone I have known well for a long time.  Denise and Helen go back with me to a time before I started this pod and both are strong in Abraham-Hicks / Law of Attraction teachings.

Gail/Spirit in Action was an exception to being someone I had known for a long time but I already had great respect for the minister of the church she attends, the Rev Michael Beckwith (for his understanding of metaphysics and because his energy feels so very good to me).  When she came actively into the pod, Su/Traveling Alchemist was withdrawing for personal life needs and reasons. 

So, it was in the back of my mind to make the first ever change in my moderators.  Su was responsible for posting our 365 Science of Mind, and the year's worth were not complete and so, it was either I would fill in, which I was willing to do, or that someone else would step forward.  It has always been a “knowing” in me - who to ask, if they will do this, and that has been the case with each moderator we've had. 

Those who are moderators here are very stable people and no one has ever quit but Su did ask to take an indefinite sabatical, and if she did come back and wanted to do this again, I would say yes without hesitation.

A moderator has extended privileges over any of the “regular” membership as follows - “they can invite and remove members, add boards, remove posts, and change any other settings accessible under the 'admin' tab.”  This 'admin' tab is only visible to moderators and the cultivator of the tab.  So, that is all the responsibility that goes with it.  There are no strings or expectations attached by me to my moderators, except that I do trust them implicitly.  I guess I do look for someone who seems to like being here, who seems committed to what we do here, for their own reasons.

I hope this answers any or all questions you may have had about this.  If not, just ask, and I will answer, if I am able to.

Deb

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

Dear Deb,

Thank you so much for your clear and elaborate answer, but then again that's one of the qualities I admire so much in you as well as your sincerity.
As far as this pod, it's very clear to me now and I am very happy that it is the way you explained and the thoughtfullness you administer as cultivator of this pod. Eventhough I may not post that often I read almost every day some of the stuff. I love Lao Tse  Tao since I was a young girl ( I  have a lot of ancient Chines poetry at home also from different dynasties). And I'm somewhat trained in Ernest Holmes' Science of mind and I absolutely adore Michael Beckwith, he's a tremendous inspiration to me.

About this moderator function, aside from the special privilages you mentioned,  the question also arose because I was wondering if there were any  general  Gaia guidelines, but it looks to me that it is kind of different with every pod, depending on the kind of pod it is, do I see that right?
Another thing that confused me about it was that awhile ago someone on who's pod I sometimes posted as a way of supporting it, all of a sudden had made me a 'mod' without even asking if I was interested at all, or explaining anything. I thought that was kind of odd, I kind of left it at that for there was a whole lot of other stuff going on.

I am happy here at the metaphysical Pod. Everything feels clear to me.
Thank you,
hugs Lucienne.

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

Alluvja / Lucienne,

What I love about you are your questions ! ! !  They are always such excellent questions, and I know that if you are wondering about something, then perhaps someone else is as well.

I have seen pods where ALL the members are moderators.  I belong to 2 private pods like that.  I think that is partly a function of the kind of pods they are.  Then, there is one pod that I know of - affectionately known as the God Pod, where there are ALOT of moderators.  I once asked Nicole how she manages so many moderators, and I think she was perplexed at my question, which I really couldn't elaborate beyond that but there is so much activity in that pod, I know that if it were me cultivating it, I would want LOTS of help too.  Cultivators do count on mods to help in adding content and to field responses to members comments or questions.  That is part of what a moderator does.

I would NEVER make someone a mod without asking them about it first; or without it being expressly what the pod itself is about.  That seems unfair and burdensome to me but I would say that most cultivators probably do see it as a compliment or way of honoring the qualities of another Gaian or pod member.  I know of no general Gaia guidelines for this role.  In fact, I did a search on that, when attempting to answer you, and came up without a single reference.

It always makes it worthwhile for me, to know that what I share is read by others.  I actually get ALOT of comments like yours - “I read there all the time but do not comment often”.  Since some of the nature of this pod, is a type of “study”, I think it is understandable.  I know that there is a bit of personal indulgence in having this pod for me, because I simply share whatever it is, that I am personally interested in at any given moment and assume someone else will find it interesting, as well.

Deb

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

Welcome to the family Lars! Oh but you have always been family!

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

How beautiful. No more or better deserving male I've seen around. We will continue to be blessed with this change. Thanks for the information! Sherri

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

Lars, how wonderful to have you as a moderator of this pod! I've always enjoyed your posts; which are like seeds: a few words, pregnant with meaning.  Leaving the reader to flow in…

Alluvja, you've asked such wonderful questions and Deb has explained in detail. You're right; each pod has its own culture and each cultivator their own way of choosing –or making, as you saw– a member into a moderator.

Deb thought that each of us could give our take also, on what a pod mod does on Living Metaphysics. I've been raised in the study of different religions and ancient traditions, applying it to daily life. So I'd post my perspectives on the different teachings presented here, and on the linkages I'd find among them.

After Deb asked me to bring my cross-cultural perspective as a mod to the group, I decided that, as there weren't many Indians here, I'd bring that in. Asked her if I can post the Upanishads, and she started the board. Deb doesn't tell us/me what to do, but is always there to support.

When there weren't many posts on the Upanishads, I wondered if it had been the right choice for Gaia, and she gently encouraged me to keep posting. I enjoy communicating [listening and speaking], so that helped me to go inward and listen, even if people did not respond. So Alluvja, as you can see, when you do post, as Lars did and others, it helps the mods as well…

I admire each of the mods here for posting without any expectations of discussion, and yet always here when discussions sprout up! There's a lot of seeding that takes place that way.
Which takes me back to Lars….Looking forward to seeing more of you here.

[BTW, on Gaia Groups Community - “The Mod Pod” we discuss these issues; and methinks that this conversation would be an interesting one to have there.]

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

Meenakshi,

I think your presence here as well as your posts on the great Indian tradition are a wonderful addition to this pod.
I look at them and read some of the stuff you post. (It's just that Gaia is such a huge place and one has to make choices and right now I'm more focussed on the Science of mind , Abraham Hick stuff etc.)But I defininetly find it interesting. I have studied theology and comparative religion for some years so I'm somewhat, not very deeply, familiar with some of the concepts you've presented here, so it is good to read some of that sometimes to get a clearer understanding. I have been in India as well, so things have been coming in here and there. (BTW I used to have a T shirt that said  Tat Tvam Asi , Thou Art That, Í loved it and I've worn until it practically fell apart!)
Love, Lucienne

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

I love your questions Lucienne!

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

Yes, great question, Lucienne, and very informative answers you have evoked !! Here is a link to the discussion on the Mod Pod about how moderators get chosen. The criteria and process really are different for each group, and I am going to underline Deb's link from there to here, to this excellent discussion.

And yes, Congrats to Lars/FastDart. (Is there such a thing as SlowDart??)

Namaste, OM Bastet

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

Dear Flowerchild and Om,

Well what can I say, it was just a question that came up and I feel that it is more than answered by everyone. I am very grateful for that and I hope it will serve others that wondered about the subject as well.
Thank you all for your loving and dedicated responses.
Oh how I love you All.

But may be we should get back to the original subject now ?

Hugs,
Lucienne

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

Deb, thank you so much for the introduction and forgive my tardiness in my reply.

What ever crawled into my system seems to be leaving just a quickly, which is something I appreciate being that I need all the energy I can muster to perform the task at hand.

I will be here to support everyones efforts with my male perspective on the path we all share.

Thank You all for your kind comments, I'll be back.

Oh! all those fancy new buttons, how kewl, which one is the troll be gone?

Namasté
~lars

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

Lars,

>>>”which one is the troll-be-gone?”<<<

Just hit the Denise button ;-p.  She knows I love the heck out of her.  Truly I treasure her unfailing instincts on that and her courage to address bluntly. 

To keep a garden beautiful, one must on occasion pull out the most onerous of weeds.  We can always tolerate a few weeds whose bloom rivals that of any flower and indeed, many are wildflowers that we can love - but - from time to time, something as invasive as ragweed or poke berries pops up and must be gotten out of the garden before it is spoiled for all.

Glad to have you here as a moderator as well-
Deb

Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

LOL Lars! Trolls-B-Gone! Love it!

I should market that in the insecticide isle of the Flower Power store! All natural ingrediants Of Course!

100%

  

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Re: Lars/FastDart is a New Moderator here

Beautiful friends,  it's so good to welcome FastDart/Lars!  And I've also enjoyed the questions and answers on this thread.

I love this Pod's diversity and mutual respect.  It's such a joy to contribute to Deb's work of art that's been created with the pure intention to share.

When I first came to Gaia I'd been actively involved with my local church for many years and had been a licensed Science of Mind practitioner (RScP) for five years.  When my mom became very sick and made her transition, I needed to step out of my practitioner role for a period of time.  Z/Gaians and this Pod in particular nurtured me through Mom's transition last year and it did so much more.

As I waited for clarity on my “next right step,” it became clear to me that my role as a licensed practitioner was fulfilled.  I felt free to accept spiritual wisdom and guidance without my comfortable framework and open myself to a space of “don't know.”   A licensed practitioner's role is to “know” and I needed to let go of that and trust that a new knowing was emerging.  Not higher, not better, just more authentically mine.

Gaia seems to be my “next right step” and I'm so grateful for each member here.  I feel anchored again in a more unique awareness of  the Presence that is within All-That-Is…at least most of the time :)

Deb has supported me unconditionally through my year plus journey from being a licensed SOM practitioner…to still loving the philosophy and at the same time, releasing the specific role of RScP.   

I've never felt pressured to participate in any particular way as a Mod and I think I needed that freedom to find my own way through this.  It's been a discipline and a joy to share the SOM daily guides…they're so good!  So my role as Mod has been self-defined, led by intuition and guidance.

I'm so grateful to Deb, to the other Mods and to the members of this Pod for this beautiful, safe place of sacred sharing.