Devotion – a place where all forces come together.

"At Eternity's Gate" by Vincent Van Gogh  (1890)

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“I understand our mornings can be busy; however, if we cannot make time for God now, then when?” ~ Ashley Ormon, God in Your Morning

It’s been another rough week as a mom in Buckeye Land.  My heart has been heavy.  Words have been exchanged and feelings have been hurt on both sides of the dinner table.  This has also expanded outside our home too.   An unexpected task has now appeared on my desk and my heart hurts for a son because a young woman said yes and then stood him up.  My feelings and emotions are all turned-up-side- down. 

In situations like this I set off to find my grounding point.  For me, it is the place where all the forces come together within me.  That point where I know I’m connected with the divine spirit.  When I’m there; I’m balanced.  I can put the dark emotions into a perspective.  There, I know that I will survive and can move on.  The divine drives my emotions and no other forces.

Getting to that place and finding that place takes work.  It isn’t something you can buy at the store or an herbal spell you brew up.  It comes from daily practice of being devoted to MotherFather Spirit.  I have discovered the more I’m devoted to practice the easier I can come to that middle point where I'm not at where my emotions are out of control and the world looks dark and without hope.

A daily devoted practice to me means prayer, meditation, yoga, knitting, walking, exercising on the stationary book, writing, drawing mandalas, and etc.  I do it alone and I do it in fellowship.  My practicing time isn’t about calling the spirit for a 911 “help me request,” but putting in the thanks and joyful noting or citing WOWness.  I believe you need to see both (i.e., 911 and joy) in order to find your balancing point and center.  The world isn’t just about crisis; it has the joys too.  If you can see both, it helps you put things into a calmer perspective.     
          

~#~ 

Over Cherry Blossoms

by Shuntaro Tanikawa

Over cherry blossoms

white clouds

over clouds

the deep sky

over cherry blossoms

over clouds

over the sky

I can climb on forever

once in spring

I with god

had a quiet talk.

~#~

If you haven’t ever prayed before or don’t know how to start to find your center.  I got this from a women’s meditation retreat back in the 90s.  The key was meditation or prayer help FADES the crisis.  The FADES is a mnemonic describing things to consider when you pray to MotherFather Spirit.    

F= Free and Formed

A = Alone and Assembled

D= Desperate and Delighted

E= Explosive and Extended

S= Spontaneous and Scheduled

My instructor at this retreat was animate that prayer wasn't about sitting still in a room.  This was the first time I heard this.  She said prayer needs to be done while you are singing with friends; waiting at the check-out line when you see an act of kindness; or when you are pondering out what word should come next in your "blog."  She stated that the "Now the lay me" and "God is great" ritually at dinner is fine for a starting point - but prayer should be done on the seat of your pants.  You should think of prayer as a day long conversation with MotherFather Spirit.  

  

Tibetan Wind Horse Prayer

(Tibetan prayer flag is 'Lung ta', meaning 'Wind Horse')

As Wind carries our prayers for Earth and All Life, may respect and love light our way.

May our hearts be filled with compassion for others and for ourselves.

May peace increase on Earth. May it begin with me.

Fish Fries – Lenten Journey 2013

BEMS@2013

I’ve been a little parched and in need of some nice gentle rain – Hildegard speak.  Despite the crisis at work, my family and I have journeyed off to two more Lenten fish fries.  I’ve sought out nourishment for my body but also boost for my spirit.  I’m going to a church event right?

The original intent for eating fish during Lent was about fasting from the flesh of meat.  This is done in memory of Christ.  But, what is the real purpose of these fish fries?  Keep the fishy smell out of your house?  According to the Knights of Columbus, it is a way to bring families together and provide a social for parishioners.  To me this could be viewed as another way of saying party?  Yes, I know the Lenten season is all about self-reflecting on our dark areas.  Having a party could be perceived as not conducting ourselves in the right spirit of Lent.  Or is it? 

My church has been studying Luke. If you don’t know much about this guy, long story short, it is believed that he was an Antiochian Doctor.  He is accredited for writing his Gospel (Luke) and Acts and followed Paul on several trips.  His body parts, like many of the saints are stored in several locations throughout the world.   Despite this, what strikes me about Dr. Luke's writings is 1) he was a man who was a great story teller and 2) he was all about having a party. 

Dr. Luke’s stories, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son, both end with a party.  The story is an analogy about one having lost their connection to the Divine.  When they find their way back, Motherfather Spirit throws this blow out party.  I’ve been wondering – couldn’t a fish fry during Lent be an occasion to throw a party. This party’s purpose would be to uplift the spirit for those of us who are lost, confused, hurt, sad, stressed (name your emotion) and who have found their way back to Motherfather Spirit.  The party would be welcoming and joyful time to give to others. 

Okay just a thought. 

~#~

A Jewish Blessing

Mi-sheberakh avoteinu v’imoteinu, Avraham v’Sarah, Yitzhak v’Rivkah, Ya’akov, Rachel v’Leah hu y’varekh et (insert names here) v’yavi aleihem refuat hanefesh u’refuat haguf yachad im kol cholei amo Yisrael. Barukh atah Hashem, rofeh ha’cholim.

May the One who was a source of blessing for our ancestors, bring blessings of healing upon (insert names here), a healing of body and a healing of spirit. May those in whose care they are entrusted be gifted with wisdom and skill, and those who surround them be gifted with love and trust, openness and support in their care. And may they be healed along with all those who are in need. Blessed are You, Source of healing.

~#~

BEMS@2013

Last Friday, 2/22 T and I went to 71916.  This appears to be a much smaller congregation that 18151222 and run by the Knights of Columbus members.  The men showed a friendly comradely.  71916 is a very basic fish fry: fried fish, coleslaw, mac and cheese, and a wide assortment of fries (i.e., regular, pepper and cheesy) or bake potato.  The coleslaw was definitely better than 18151222.  The fish had more of a beer batter and was a little oily to my taste.  T felt that the mac and cheese was a little soggy.  We accredited this to being one of the last customers.   Dessert?  Texas Sheet Cake.  The frosting was melted into the moist cake.  I immediately thought of my mother-in-law’s cake.      

The highlight of the evening was being invited into the sanctuary.  I’ve never have explored for Wow sites in Columbus, but here it was.  The door open and you could feel the energy across your face.  T pulled me back and asked if I felt it.  I wanted to stay, but we needed to pick up Z.

BEMS@2013

At 7193, they’ve changed things up.  Instead of a fish fry, this congregation holds an all you can eat pasta “fry.”  Z had been anticipating this “fry” by not eating anything after school in order to have room to go for seconds.  He told me it was to get his money’s worth.  They served baked Ziti with a mild tomato sauce, bow-tie Alfredo, Mac and Cheese, green beans with onion, salad and bread.  Everything was very tasty and carbo rich.  The dessert table was filled with baked goods.  The lady wearing a green apron labeled “women’s circle” told me they were from the best cooks in the county.  T chose a cherry pie and I had a chocolate marbled cake with chocolate butter cream.  Yum.      

Out of the three churches, I’d have to say this had the most “party like” feel.  People were more willing to say hello and talk to you.  Maybe it was how the tables were arranged: long close rows where you couldn’t help but bump into people. 

~#~

 “The great sea ...”

By Uvavnuk Uvavnuk
Translated By Jane Hirshfield

The great sea

frees me, moves me,
as a strong river carries a weed.
Earth and her strong winds
move me, take me away,
and my soul is swept up in joy.

Zeal Living

Plum Tree and Blue Magpies by Toshi Yoshida

Haikus by Kobayashi Issa
Don’t worry, spiders,
I keep house
casually. 

Just simply alive,
Both of us, I
And the poppy



I've been thinking a lot about magical living.  To me, its living life with zeal.  I'm not talking about a zeal where people are so focused on moving energy and being wild frenzy about letter writing and marching; I'm talking about having a zeal for the ordinary that is happening around you that is often going unnoticed.

Its the kind of zeal you feel when you sit back and watch a spider float down and every once in a while you catch sightings of its ghostly thread.  And, you sit there as the spider gracefully descends sailing back and forth in the breeze.  When the spider finally lands in the grass you say wow.

Having zeal means you can be excited by the ordinary.  You can feel the magic crackle at that very moment.  It is like walking in the woods and stopping to watch how the sun filters through the leaves and looking at the light and dark patterns it makes on the ground.  Or standing back and watching the bees hover around the roses or scraping the jelly pot for the last bits that didn't make it into the canning jars.  Or wonder how the birds flying outside your car window follow the music playing on your radio. 

Yes, this zeal to me is about ordinary times when I feel connected with Motherfather Spirit.  These little moments when I feel alive and part of something bigger.  These times I feel most grateful for living.  Zeal living is like eating the first tomato off the vine in the summer - it is something that needs to be savored.

One of my favorite poets is Mary Oliver  She is the Queen for pointing out this zeal of the ordinary.  I think she captures this moment in her poem "The Herons." 

The Heron

Mary Oliver



Herons in Snow by Shoson

This morning

the beautiful white heron

was floating along above the water

and then into the sky of

this one world

we all belong to

where everything

sooner or later

is part of everything else

which thought made me feel

for a while

quite beautiful myself.

Yorishiro – Honoring the spirits at WOW sites

Totoro.org

Yorishiro - A place inhabited by the Kami (spirit) or a place where Kami have been invited to come.

Six years ago I traveled to Japan to visit a relative.  One of the things I remember about this very different place was something I valued in my CCWWW practice: honoring my connection with earth, ancestors and the spirits of the place.  Touring the major cities, I discovered forested parks and quiet green spaces in-between traffic and noise.   These places were alive and I could immediately feel the WOW energy.  Throughout these parks people had decorated trees with flags or ceramic bowl with a single flower. 

One of my favorite movies is My Neighbor Totoro (Miyazaki, 1988).  The animated film takes place in post war Japan.  It follows a story of a professor and his two daughters and their move to the country.  The house is closer to the hospital where the mother is being treated for an illness (i.e., most likely cancer due to the atomic bomb).  The move away from the city the girls discover the spirits of the place – one spirit Totoro who is the keeper of the forest.

Besides the adventures the girls have with the magical spirits, one piece of the film touches me.  The father and daughters are hiking into the forest and come to a large tree.  It is an ancient tree.  It is a tree that would take two or three people together to get their arms around.  The father stands reverently and bows; and the two girls mirror the gesture.

I have found myself often reverently bowing to places and trees even before my travels to Japan.  When I hike, I often leave an offering to the place.  This past summer hiking at Emerald Lake I was so moved by the place I left my ring.  I tossed it into the lake with an offering of thanks.  I think of my Ash tree and how I would tie brightly colored ribbons in her arms.  When I go to my family farm - I hug the ancient Oak.  Their spirit reminds me that I'm connected. 

 ~#~

It is interesting that between some cultures there are similarities.  My neighbor has just set out her two potted pine trees by her door.  They are decorated with white tiny lights.  In Japan at this time two Kadomatsu’s (i.e., pine gate) are created and set out on either side of the front door.  The decoration is to welcome Kami into the homes.  The decoration is also to welcome the God of the New Year.  The elements of the Kadomatsu are chosen to symbolize what the person would like in the coming year: longevity, prosperity, steadfastness and respectively.   

~#~

Saturday Activity

Create Kadomatsu for the front porch – more to come.

Two pots - look in the garage

Fresh greenery

Earthy Wow Sites

Apollo Moon Shot

"There is a language beyond human language, an elemental language, one that arises from the land itself."  Linda Hogan, Chickasaw Writer

“There are…places where one breathes in spirit, places where a man can steep himself in it, or if you prefer, where he quickens the sense of the divine in himself. This is the greatest gift of Earth and Heaven to man.” Louis Charpentier, The Mysteries of Chartres Cathedral

“Earth’s crammed with heaven/ And every common bush afire with God: but only he who sees takes off his shoes.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning

~#~

I’ve been working for many years on developing my “wow factor.”  I’m well aware that I’ve not reached the adept level, but by practicing I have become aware of chi/life energy/Kether outside of my physical body.  Specifically, I’ve become aware of earthly places that feel good.  I classify these places as having the “wow factor” also. 

My experience with these places feels like working with an “energy ball.” (See last week’s Activity) When visiting these places, I’ve stuck my hands out and felt tingling and sometimes heat radiating the space.  And, I find that after returning home I’m able to immediately go back there in my mind’s eye.  And, if I am in the vicinity – I need to take a trip there.

The first time I became aware of these places was in Prague.  T and I went there with Volunteers for Peace project in 1997.  After finishing our two week work project,   we decided to tour Prague for a couple of days.  The city is magical reminding me of all my fairy tale books.  Many of the places we visited had college students working diligently to restore the city to its glory before WWII and the implications of Fascist and Communist rule.  I remember sitting in a front pew watching students carefully strip black paint away from a mural painting and the marble.  My hands began to tingle.  I thought this odd and opened my palms up on my lap.  I was hit with a “wow.”  T noticed it also.

Below are some of my favorite wow spots.  This list grows as I explore my world. 

Glastonbury Well

England, Glastonbury well - yes I drank the water and brought some home for a Reike master friend.  It was too cold and rainy to bath.  This energy was very gentle and pulsing. 

Avebury Stone Circle

England, Avebury Ring - Each stone vibrated.  My son was a toddler and he had a great time running around.  I couldn't get over it.  There were people out with their dowsing rods looking for the ley lines.  This is something I can't image happening in the USA.  A side note, the English were very nice about children.  They went out of there way to help me with my stroller and doting on him - something I find rare back in the states.

Cologne Cathedral

Germany, Cologne Cathedral - If you get off the train - look up you can't miss it.  This church is big.  One thing I noticed on my recent trip, there are ushers telling people to get off their cells and to "shhh."  The previous time I visited I found it rather distracting with everyone talking with "outdoor" voices.  Now you can concentrate on the nice energy here.  The Cathedral was built on a Pagan Site.  Hmmm that happened a lot.  I propose it had to do with the "wow factor." 

Dom St. Peter at Night

Germany, Trier:  Dom St. Peter – by the shrine to the holy robe.  This is a cool place.  King Charlie built this for his Mom at the same time he built the St. Peter's in Rome.  Cool story.  If you walk in the organ looks out of place being a dark grey black against rose pink.  Apparently, Rome wouldn't let the church clean the walls.  Over time people forgot the walls were pink due to the candle soot.  Well the walls were cleaned and it is pink inside.  I felt the best energy next to the shrine to the holy robe. 

Nara Buddha

Japan, Nara by the Buddha - there are actually 3 Buddhas here in Nara.  This Buddha was built in 752 - he is old.  All three give off great energy.  What's wild about this place is the deer.  The deer come up to you like you are their best friend.  At my family farm in Western PA - they run the other direction when the see a human.  Advice don't eat around the deer.  They are aggressive and you'll loose it. 

Ohio Serpant Mound

USA, Ohio: Serpent’s Mound - I am an Ohioan.  I live in the land of the ancient mounds.  Near my house there use to be two mounds.  One still remains the other houses a Wendy's.  This is a great spot.  Very peaceful.  It you are there at the Solstices, sometimes Native Americans are there doing ceremonies.  The energy is comforting and so is the scenary of gentle rolling hills.  If I'd had my say.  The Serpant Mound would be on Ohio's quarter not the Wright Brothers.

Cohokia Mounds

USA, Illinois: Cahokia Mounds - Mounds? This place is unreal.  Think Egypt in the midwest.  My parents never stopped here when we went to visit my Aunt in St. Louis.  My suggestion - to feel the best 'wow' effect don't park at the parking lot and walk up the stairs.  Approach the big mound from the field.  The energy builds as you finally reach the top 'WOW."

Mission San Xavier del Blanc

USA, Arizona: Mission San Xavier del Blanc - This was one of the first places I have felt both tingling and heat.  T and I realized the heat wasn't coming from the candles.  When I'm in the area - I have to go to this site.  I can't explain. 

Entering these earthy wow spaces.

I attended several lectures by Native American shaman regarding earthy wow sites.  All stated there was a need to maintain these spots because they’re important for the health of our earth.  They requested all who visit these spots to bring an offering that would bring about healing and helping our Mother.  The following offerings were recommended and are what I bring when visiting: copper (copper pennies), mica and tobacco.

Activities – Go and explore earthly wow places.

By no means is this site a complete listings but it’s a jumping off point.

Sacred Sites http://sacredsites.com/sacred_places/index.html

Feel free to share your favorite spots in our wonderful world.