James Spotlight

Just before I turned sixty (!) last year I was in one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen – the Basiliek Notre-Dame in Montreal – when I received a very strong message: You’ve got about 15 years left in your professional prime: What are you going to do with it?

To my amusement, most of my old student friends are beginning to wind down and retire, and here am I just winding up at 60? Well in some areas, I have always been a late developer… And I should also point out that most of those friends have made millions over the years, so they have a certain luxury buffer.
 
Yet here I am, the most motivated I have ever been to make a difference.
It is as if my ambitions have been unleashed!
At the same time – thank God for all that spiritual guidance and practice – I don’t feel the need to prove myself, I don’t believe my identity depends on the outcome of my work. I just know I need to do give my all, give my best.
 
Osho gave me the name Marga Niten, meaning the Path of Virtue (don’t laugh!).
I am just beginning to realize why: virtue originally means the pursuit of excellence; it suggests a public showing up at our best.
 
Last year was a very difficult year for me, a lot of struggle, a lot of tears, a lot of self-doubt. The Crossing came and went, one of the biggest projects I have been involved with, and one of the greatest achievements. Something got ignited.
But I decided to stop the project of the Crossing – which involved a painful (but gracious) break-up with my work partner Marc Gafni. I shall be forever grateful to him but that is not where my destiny lies.
 
Since then, it is as if a strong wind of inspiration has been blowing me across the sky. The project that I have been waiting for: so far it has just been called the Movement but soon a possible new name will be revealed!
 
The goal of the movement is to bring a message of hope to mainstream society, to be a beacon of light. Our goal is to bring about a meeting of inner and outer work, a balance between introspection and showing up in the world. Our goal is to create a new kind of community that supports people who have similar aspirations.
 
You may say a dreamer – but I really am not the only one!
And I really don’t feel alone any more… especially as my wife Micky and other strong, talented people are standing beside me. Already so many people have expressed a desire to be part of this movement.
 
I am surrounded by people with such diverse talents, all stepping up, working on an infrastructure, working on a business plan, working on membership schemes, working on content…
 
And in the meantime, the work with my dear beloved Quinx keeps going. Without the foundation Quinx has given me, I would never have come to this place. I still love giving groups – Leading By Being, Councils, working with teams, with leaders – and that will always go on. Indeed, my Councils in the political world are expanding and giving me an intense feeling of fulfilment. And the movement is bringing a new framing, a new over-arching story and purpose that is beginning to guide me and others.
 
In some ways, I feel woefully inadequate for the journey ahead. But my heart keeps opening, my feet keep moving, my wings keep reaching for the sky…
 
The quality of my life is also closely connected to the quality and depth of my spiritual practice – meditation, Qi Gong, breathing. Life is so much easier and more beautiful if you feel the sacred, if you sense the hidden harmony behind everything.
 
Everyone is welcome at the Movement. We are working hard behind the scenes and as soon as we go public, we will let you know! And you can always call me at 0485 515265 or send me a mail at james@quinx.org