Boulder, Colorado's New Pioneers

According to Webster's New World dictionary, a pioneer is “one who goes before, preparing the way for others.”

The individuals honored as Boulder's “New Pioneers” are aptly named.They are leading our community, and the world, with their innovative achievements and contributions.

2006 Honorees:

Henry Beer Richard Foy Lorrie Shepard Rich Castro Michael Gilliland Mo Siegel Libby Cook Janet Martin Rick Sterling Steve Demos Andy Pruitt Otis Taylor Helen Forster Michael Rice Stephen White Nick Forster Robert Scaer Rona Wilensky

Consciousness

Consciousness is perhaps one of the most mystifying aspects of our existence. When I use the term to refer to being conscious, I usually mean awareness, including self-awareness. The term for me also refers to our most intimate experience of ourselves; that is our encounter with our interiority, giving us our deepest sense of "I am-ness."

Communities contribute to our sense of "I am-ness" in so many ways. They also help us from becoming self-consumed with ourselves and becoming aware of our larger connections to the universe. Both are important: that we are in touch with own sense of being; and that we are in touch with our sense of being a part of it all. The latter is said in many religious traditions to be one of the most sacred and special spiritual realizations.

As I sit in the sunshine watching the ancient boulder rocks in Carefree, Arizona, a glimmer of a feeling of being a part of it all arises within me. Place has a way of helping us arrive at this experience It's simply extraordinary!