Casadei has done all over the above and more. Ever since she came over for our workshop in December 2010, she has shown incredible determination to work through her baggage and face everything that is inside of her. Sometimes, the things inside were dark and very painful, and it took much courage to even look at it, let alone work through it - but she has done so. Sometimes, the things inside were huge and amazing and bright, and those things can take even more courage to accept - but she has done so, again and again. Over the last few months, she has changed from an often timid and frightened girl to a powerful meta-artist with a strong inner drive to help this world, a big heart, incredible determination, and a level of sensitivity that few in this world will ever reach. She has shown all qualifications for a while now, but it finally scans to me to say this:
Cas, congratulations with your Black Belt! You have done amazingly.
On a personal note, I would like to say, Cas, thank you. It's been a great relief to see someone stepping up to this level, and to have someone to share Black Belt level experiences with that other people would not be able to understand. We've done a lot of work together the last few months, and you have taught me so much during that time. You've pulled me out of quite a few slumps, and you've shown me that it's possible to walk this path with fun and lightheartedness - something we've been incorporating into our teachings more and more lately. Your sensitivity has helped me get a better idea of the effects of my own gifts, and the way you can talk to people sometimes.... makes me see that yes, what we do here really is worth it. It's beautiful to see you grow more and more into power, and I'm both grateful and honoured to be working with you on this path and carrying the meta forward into this world. Sister, I love you : )
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Clearly, our very first Black Belt deserves a party. We will hold it this coming Saturday at our new house. Everyone is welcome from some 16:00 onward, and we'll find sleeping spaces for those who live further away. Please bring some food/drinks/other things for dinner that night - coordinate with ashai who's bringing what so we don't end up with just deserts (or you can of course scan it!).
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Some people think that once you reach Black Belt, you are finished and you have no more difficult issues to face. This is far from the truth. Earning a Black Belt in any art - martial or meta-intuitive - means that you have mastered all the basics. You have learned to perform all the techniques that the style of your choice teaches and you have worked hard to become competent in them. You have reached a stable point where the art has become part of who you are. However, this is where the work really starts. In Japanese, the first degree black belt is called Shodan, the beginning step. Gaining a Black Belt means you are ready to apply all the techniques, ideas and disciplines that you have learned to the really difficult matters.
A Black Belt is not "finished". They take all of their training and knowledge and start out on a new journey that is harder and more intense than the training journey they have taken so far, constantly perfecting their skills and gaining in power and wisdom.
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This is our next goal
One or two Black Belts is nice... but it's not until we have a whole group of people on this level that we can start truly supporting each other and the ones who follow after us, and that we can start making the changes happen that we want to see in our world.
. Nailing black belt in such a short time, you are a wonderful example for all the younger students (including me ofc) 
