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August/September 2006 Volume 40Welcome to this bi-monthly edition of our newsletter! You will find these columns contained in our August/September issue:
Metaphors for Life
Carla Woody, Founder Metaphors for Life
GrowthWorks Traversing a Thousand Lifetimes by Carla Woody Having recently returned from a lengthy time in Peru with our spiritual travel groups, this is a time of great reflection for me. Aside from remembering the many events, becoming aware of the threads that connected one group to the other…to the other…and then what we bring home is something to be savored in its dawning recognition. Then well aged over time to its enduring perfection. Knowing from experience that much more will float up to register, I’ll offer you these awarenesses now. The intensity level of our work is increasing - perhaps through an untold urgency - and the planes of interplay are becoming much more pronounced. Bear with me as I give more meat to these rather cryptic statements. In the beginning I always create a framework with the groups to let them know that our work together will create a transmission of energy. So that no matter what we may be engaged in – hiking or eating together, meditating, being in circle, or even riding in the bus – a number of things are happening at different levels, even though the “deeper” occurrences may be invisible to their eyes. I encourage them to give permission for everything to unfold. (Sometimes easier said than done in the moment of experience!) And, I believe, because we have prepared ahead of time to show up with our intent, all that would fulfill it is also invited. In these times, we are engaged in non-ordinary group work. We’ve upped the ante. And as so, are being held in a vessel, colluding with resident energies of the elementals, all that is there. By being present, we offer up a collective prayer for infusion, for breakthrough. And we get it. Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed the vibrational groundswell that pushes to the surface whatever is needed for evolution – with more profound intensity, something building. Yes, I know this sounds a bit dramatic. But it is indeed what I’ve witnessed, as well as personally encountered, and thoroughly augmented by those who self-select for these journeys. Even if they don’t quite consciously know what they’re in for, something has drawn them to participate at this level. There is a phrase that Don Américo is fond of using and said more this summer than usual. To traverse a thousand lifetimes in a few seconds… To me, this is what we’re called upon to do - fast forward the rebirthing process. But how? What is the secret? If a large part of “reincarnation” is about lessons, then perfection exists in the recognition, acceptance and retention of the learning. This must be the tsunami that moves us through successions of lifetimes in an instant. Otherwise, we’re hovering before the threshold shuffling our feet, kicking up dust. There was a metaphor I was drawn to mention in our third group because, by that time, so much had transpired over the preceding weeks of travel it especially seemed to fit. But it’s also universal. It was about the paradox I experienced years ago in India where there was such human suffering just outside the holiest of temples. The metaphoric vessel in which we were stirred and melded in Peru gave us frequent cues as to the nature of our pathway. On one level the signs didn’t seem like signals at all, merely ordinary incidents. But they weren’t. Before a ceremony at Huaypo Lake outside Cusco, an eagle and a condor appeared and flew together – a quite unusual occurrence. An unprecedented event in the history of work with Don Américo, some of the Q’eros traveled with us to Puno and did despachos* in sacred sites, an initiatory pilgrimage for them in which we were able to participate. Pachamama responded, vibrated. Guardians emerged from the mountainous rock formations at dusk, the hour of power, and made themselves known, other presences as well. Many other gifts were presented, some of which we may not have been aware. How do we train our eyes to fully see, our bodies to palpably feel, our minds to courageously risk and our hearts to soulfully open – in the moment – toward the extraordinary opportunities with which we are offered? This, my fellow voyagers, is the quest of the path I walk as it may well be yours. Otherwise, when we’re in the midst of hallowed space – which we always are – the interjections of a confused mind, old wounds we may carry, immediately transport us outside the temple. And we feel separate, suffer. Or perhaps we’re not even aware of the beauty and sacredness playing out around us. During our times together, Don Américo is known to periodically call out, “Yanachacuy!” People immediately pair off, turn back to back, clasp hands and begin the process of giving and receiving energy through the spinal column, the intent being to share your very best with the other person. Thus, we elevate each other and accomplish what we sometimes don’t as easily alone. This is a beautiful process to do and the same function came out in many ways. Through words, a touch, an action, people conveyed the energy of what the other didn’t have in that moment, to be received, in order to find it, or rediscover it, within themselves. The strength of love to diminish pain. Courage to voice and act. The joy and innocence of childhood. Thus suffering is converted and we can be within the temple concurrently. This is the ayni, the sacred sense of reciprocity, that the people of the Andes speak about. The allowing and practice of it is another ticket through the collective threshold. The sense of urgency must be the cue that we’re ready. ******** *A despacho is a sacred ritual offering to the Pachamama (Mother Earth), Apus (spirits of the mountains) and others. In our ceremonies with the Q’eros, the offering bundle may be passed through our individual energy fields and touch our bodies. We open ourselves to the prayers that are being spoken before the despacho is given to purification in a fire close by. Note: To join in a discussion about this topic, go to the Salk’a Waikis forum group home page. And if you’re ready to self select, I invite you to take a look at our upcoming programs below. © 2006 All rights reserved. Carla Woody is the author of the book Standing Stark: The Willingness to Engage and Calling Our Spirits Home: Gateways to Full Consciousness and founder of Kenosis, an organization supporting personal transformation. Carla has long been leading people toward mind/body/spirit wholeness using integrative healing methods blended with world spiritual traditions. She may be reached by e-mail at info@kenosis.net or by telephone (928) 778-1058.Special Events
Review More often than not, the publications or music you will find reviewed here will not be new or “bestsellers.” Websites or organizations may not be well known. But all are spotlighted by virtue of their impact and value.
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse
In The Last Report, Louise Erdrich has written a book that transports the reader not only to another time, but also to a field where all could dwell with increased respect and understanding.
Agnes is an inventive person of strong and lusty character who found a way to deal with living in a time, the early 1900s, when most women had few choices. Timing, opportunity and a desire to leave her old situation behind allowed her to step into the identity of Father Damien Modeste, a priest who was expected shortly at a remote reservation of the Ojibwe in North Dakota called Little No Horse. The narrative takes us over nearly a century of what it was like to have a foot planted in both worlds – a woman living as a man – ministering in one culture yet not intruding with another, developing roots and living with a sporadic fear of one day being found out. Would everything Father Damien had built in his beloved community, all trust and love given to him, be discarded if Agnes was discovered?
The telling of this chronicle is instigated through the investigation of one Sister Leopolda who is up for sainthood. When the church’s emissary comes to interview Father Damien, we have the opportunity to witness a life well lived, intricately woven and deeply connected to community. Not that of Sister Leopolda, but that of Father Damien.
Equally important is the telling of the Obijwe traditions, the sometimes funny and bizarre antics of medicine man Nanapush, and the tragic stresses often endured. And peppered throughout the book are enormous gems of wisdom. A couple of examples are shown here.
…even careful plans cannot accommodate or foresee all the tricks of creation…
We see the seasons pass, the moons fatten and go dark, infants grow to old men, but this is not time. We see the water strike against the shore and with each wave we say a moment has passed, but this is not time. Inside, we feel our strength go from a baby’s weakness to a youth’s strength to a man’s endurance to the weakness of a baby again, but this is not time, either, nor are your whiteman’s clocks and bells, nor the sun rising and the sun going down. These things are not time. ~ Nanapush
It’s also punctuated with Father Damien’s frequent, unanswered notes to the Pope such as this one.
Pope!
Perhaps we are no more than spores on the breath of God, perhaps our life is just one exhalation. One breath. If God pauses just a moment to ruminate before taking in a new breath, we see. In that calm cessation, we see. All I’ve ever wanted to do is see.
Don’t bother with a reply.
Modeste The characters in this work of fiction are so rich and their stories so resonant, there’s a part of me that secretly hopes the writings are based on fact, even as they have an underlying inherent truth. Life is indeed layers of complexity, with all its attendant emotions. Here it’s delivered to us through Agnes and Father Damien, their voices intermingled. This book is much more than entertainment.
- Carla Woody | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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