Vals 2026 July-Septembre : It’s Priesting Time

What do priests do?

• develop their own wisdom and connection to god*
• know and care for the community
  • curate a space where one can be liberated of shame and judgement
  • be a steady anchor - same place same time, solid framework and resources
  • lead the community in good practices, including mutual forgiveness, staying in the present
  • take confession, maintain privacy, be present for those who can’t normally otherwise share
  • clarify and elucidate wisdoms, from texts and practices

[*] By god, I mean many things, many of which spiritual, but none necessarily non-materialist. Being present in the world, seeing what is, loving, accepting, orienting. Strengthening one’s self understanding, understanding of others, understanding of the links between. Seeing the dualisms, ying and yangs, and the axes they trace and the interplay of mastering both sides. Seeing boundaries and their nebulosity (eg. as presented upon in Meaningness). So within, so without. Everything is the same, and everything is unique.

What am I doing less of, compared to other nearby archetypes?

• not so wild and psychedelic as the shaman
• not so isolated as the monk
• not so ambitious as the wizard. Or, if wizard like, moreso the mentor from A Wizard Of EarthSea.

Me?

I’m not any official type of priest and don’t seek to be. I grew up in christianity close in many ways to that archetype, both in my devotion and service at Church. I have not been consecrated by others and do not have a known spiritual master’s blessing. I have a main personal mentor, and have sought and received many kinds of mentorship. In particular I appreciate mentorship from communities, living with and understanding the wisdom of Thai Forest Buddhists, of burners, of vibecampers, of rationalists, of EAs, of christians, of startupers, of villagers, of travelers… But in anyway, priesting doesn’t require being a priest. It just requires priesting. And it’s priesting time.

Misc

Here’s a comic that has grown more meaningful to me over time:

by Auderset. It’s in French but that’s not much of a blocker. The word on the black sack is ~“burden/worries”, and the prayer is ~“Oh Lord at your feet I leave all my burdens”.

Vals 2026 Jan-March Manifesto

Some visions for myself

• Wandering enchanter
  • Go in person meet people, provide/contribute to their environment/structure
  • Freely give
  • Be open to receiving donations/contributions to live off of
• Still developing self understanding
  • Balancing in person and online
• Developing the online
  • Eg. 1 day/week, or 2 half day office hours
  • Community meetings online?

Concretely where am I called to?

• SF/Berkeley, bay area
  • Meet all the people, understand who can be better, enable betterment