Towards the end of August, my thoughts typically turn to the ceremonies of December. Today I am remembering a Gathering of the Spruce ceremony which took place many years ago.
The ceremony took place at our temple in Skull Valley Arizona. In our years in Skull Valley, we had many people visit us and on occasion we had as many as 30 people celebrating our ceremonies with us. This particular ceremony took place at a time when Swami Ramananda had gotten quite old. As his age increased, it seemed that fewer and fewer people would come to see him. I believe he was very happy about that because his hearing was very poor, and he could only guess at what they were saying to him.
This particular Gathering of the Spruce ceremony took place in mid-December. I remember it because it was the last Gathering of the Spruce ceremony which Swami Ramananda performed.
It was an interesting year, one of his students from 30 years previously had contacted us, and she and her husband came out to Arizona to participate in the ceremony with us.
The ceremony’s purpose is purification and rededication. The needles of the spruce tree are an ancient Native American herb used for purification. During the ceremony, as Swami Ramananda spoke, I would smolder a number of small branches of spruce emitting a very fragrant smell.
I was intently watching over the smoldering needles, while Swami Ramananda continued to speak to those gathered. One moment I looked towards Ramananda and saw that he was in a glowing golden color, that every hair on his head seemed perfectly placed, that his beard was smoothly combed, and his face looked as if he were 15 years younger.
I watched him for a while, marveling at the beauty of the scene in front of me. And I made a mental note to ask him about this experience at some point after the ceremony.
As things happen, after the ceremony, I became a very busy with those who attended the ceremony, and this wondrous event slipped from my memory.
In those years, Kerani Devi and I would make journeys to California to visit family over the Christmas holidays. The next day after the ceremony we left for California, and I didn't get a chance to question Swami Ramananda about what I observed. We returned to Arizona 10 days later.
The day that we returned, I went into the temple and realized that the back of the altar wall which was decorated with evergreen branches, was filled with very dry evergreen needles. Except for one area, the area that was right behind where Swami Ramananda had sat. The evergreen branches in this area were still fresh and moist, and had a delightful scent.
There is a story about Krishna where he incarnates in just the right form to kill a demon. The story goes on that even though the demon was lying there dead, because his foot was touching the toe of Krishna, his body appeared as though it was still alive.
In a way on that cold December night, those of us attending the old Swami’s last Gathering of the Spruce ceremony were able to experience the Life-Filling Abundant Light of Divine Blessing.
May These Blessings Surround and Enfold You
Showing posts with label ceremony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ceremony. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Beginning of the Time of Great Change
AWE!!
This is one of the most unique of human experiences … it can arise from any number of sources or events spreading out before us … it can be emotional, it can be Spiritual, it can be physical; or it can be a combination of all of these.
There is an old story that the Teachers would tell about the turtle who lived within his shell. Of course, living within his shell is similar to the way in which we organize our lives – our shells are our personal patterns of daily living. Laughing, I like to imagine the turtle as a cartoon character sitting within the cave of his shell, oblivious of anything happening outside. We could even see him roasting a marshmallow over a warming fire, safe within his shell.
Then a knocking happens, not at the doorway, on the fabric of the shell – it reverberates throughout the structure of the shell. Our turtle has choice: He can be like a Hollywood movie character and assume that anything outside his shell – new or unusual must be evil, and hide in fear or dress for battle.
Or, he might choose curiosity … he might open to the possibility of communication with this knock that seems to reverberate through his world, through his pattern of living.
In one of the legends of the Hopi; when it was foretold that the third world would come to an end, those who opened themselves to communication were able to hear and be guided through their Kopavi – known as the soft spot on their heads. The legend is that the skin of our skull is drawn taut across this area, like the head of a drum; and that if you listen through your Kopavi, you can hear the tapping of Great Spirit on your own drum head. In the legend, those who listened were guided by their perception to a place of safety, while the third world passed into the fourth.
Of course, the message being passed through the Kopavi, can be received in many different ways – the analogy is that we can be open to Infinite Potential manifesting in our lives in any way. In fact, the world around us is supportive, providing many opportunities for us to see beyond our ‘shell.’
On the 19th of June is the celebration of the Beginning of the Time of Great Change. The story of how the physical world manifested in the manner foretold by the ancient Hopi tradition, can be found in Chapter 5 of The Gospel of the Stone, written by Swami Ramananda. We have also spoken of it in a radio program.
Certainly, this is a very dynamic, Awe Inspiring, physical manifestation of Infinite Potential – a knocking on the shell of our pattern of living. Yet the message beyond this majestic happening, is that there is a knocking every day. If we listen and wonder, perhaps we can emerge from our shell and discover Newness – an abundant, creative and supportive world around us. This is a world from which we can draw inspiration, a world that can inspire Joy in our Hearts.
May Blessings Surround You
This is one of the most unique of human experiences … it can arise from any number of sources or events spreading out before us … it can be emotional, it can be Spiritual, it can be physical; or it can be a combination of all of these.
There is an old story that the Teachers would tell about the turtle who lived within his shell. Of course, living within his shell is similar to the way in which we organize our lives – our shells are our personal patterns of daily living. Laughing, I like to imagine the turtle as a cartoon character sitting within the cave of his shell, oblivious of anything happening outside. We could even see him roasting a marshmallow over a warming fire, safe within his shell.
Then a knocking happens, not at the doorway, on the fabric of the shell – it reverberates throughout the structure of the shell. Our turtle has choice: He can be like a Hollywood movie character and assume that anything outside his shell – new or unusual must be evil, and hide in fear or dress for battle.
Or, he might choose curiosity … he might open to the possibility of communication with this knock that seems to reverberate through his world, through his pattern of living.
In one of the legends of the Hopi; when it was foretold that the third world would come to an end, those who opened themselves to communication were able to hear and be guided through their Kopavi – known as the soft spot on their heads. The legend is that the skin of our skull is drawn taut across this area, like the head of a drum; and that if you listen through your Kopavi, you can hear the tapping of Great Spirit on your own drum head. In the legend, those who listened were guided by their perception to a place of safety, while the third world passed into the fourth.
Of course, the message being passed through the Kopavi, can be received in many different ways – the analogy is that we can be open to Infinite Potential manifesting in our lives in any way. In fact, the world around us is supportive, providing many opportunities for us to see beyond our ‘shell.’
On the 19th of June is the celebration of the Beginning of the Time of Great Change. The story of how the physical world manifested in the manner foretold by the ancient Hopi tradition, can be found in Chapter 5 of The Gospel of the Stone, written by Swami Ramananda. We have also spoken of it in a radio program.
Certainly, this is a very dynamic, Awe Inspiring, physical manifestation of Infinite Potential – a knocking on the shell of our pattern of living. Yet the message beyond this majestic happening, is that there is a knocking every day. If we listen and wonder, perhaps we can emerge from our shell and discover Newness – an abundant, creative and supportive world around us. This is a world from which we can draw inspiration, a world that can inspire Joy in our Hearts.
May Blessings Surround You
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Celebrating Mahatma Gandhi with an Intimacy of Heart
At this time of year I feel wondrous excitement – for this is the beginning of the “High Holy Days” celebration of rituals and meditations. Thirty years ago, I sat with Swami Ramananda, listening as he laid out before me the path of remembrance, purification and re-birth, celebrated in the ceremonies of the High Holy Days.
The first ceremony takes place on October Second – this is the Gandhi Puja, mostly simply pronounced (poo-ja). This is a celebration of the day of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. Laughing, more than cakes or party hats, this is a remembrance of who he was and what he taught.
In the old temple at Sadhana Society, the policy was that we never placed the picture of a person or a deity on the main altar – except, when we were performing a Puja. On October 2nd, we would place a large picture of Gandhi on the altar, with flowers surrounding him – perhaps there would be a bowl of water, maybe a stone, or even a flower petal borrowed from a shrine that houses a bit of his ashes.
The ceremony itself might even include a joyous singing of Happy Birthday! It also would include each of us selecting a stanza from his many works and reading it aloud. This selection is done with an Intimacy of Heart, so that the selected stanza resonates with the heart of my being. As I rise and recite the words; I connect with the presence of Gandhi – an inner tremble accompanies my in-breath – I speak with my exhale – my heart center resonating with the vibration of each word – I am aligning myself, my purpose, with the Soul which was the source of these words. I sit once more, my body vibrating with this new creative purpose – aligned with the intention of Mahatma Gandhi, I join with everyone else in song.
On October 2nd, I invite each of you to find a quote of Mahatma Gandhi, to print a picture of him and place it in a special way before you. Then with the creative joy of your being, to speak those words; as they vibrate within you, feel the intention of their purpose as a part of who you are. Then perhaps, you will sing Happy Birthday Gandhi!
Blessings to you all.
The first ceremony takes place on October Second – this is the Gandhi Puja, mostly simply pronounced (poo-ja). This is a celebration of the day of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. Laughing, more than cakes or party hats, this is a remembrance of who he was and what he taught.
In the old temple at Sadhana Society, the policy was that we never placed the picture of a person or a deity on the main altar – except, when we were performing a Puja. On October 2nd, we would place a large picture of Gandhi on the altar, with flowers surrounding him – perhaps there would be a bowl of water, maybe a stone, or even a flower petal borrowed from a shrine that houses a bit of his ashes.
The ceremony itself might even include a joyous singing of Happy Birthday! It also would include each of us selecting a stanza from his many works and reading it aloud. This selection is done with an Intimacy of Heart, so that the selected stanza resonates with the heart of my being. As I rise and recite the words; I connect with the presence of Gandhi – an inner tremble accompanies my in-breath – I speak with my exhale – my heart center resonating with the vibration of each word – I am aligning myself, my purpose, with the Soul which was the source of these words. I sit once more, my body vibrating with this new creative purpose – aligned with the intention of Mahatma Gandhi, I join with everyone else in song.
On October 2nd, I invite each of you to find a quote of Mahatma Gandhi, to print a picture of him and place it in a special way before you. Then with the creative joy of your being, to speak those words; as they vibrate within you, feel the intention of their purpose as a part of who you are. Then perhaps, you will sing Happy Birthday Gandhi!
Blessings to you all.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Summer Solstice Celebration
On the 19th of June, I celebrate a remembrance of the Beginning of the Time of Great Change. On this day, as foretold by ancient Hopi legend, the stars in the sky formed specific symbols that signified a release from the old and an opening to the possibilities of the new.
On this day, in 1973, I sat with my Teacher, Swami Ramananda, listening as he would predict the next symbol that the stars would form, and watching in astonishment as the stars proceeded to create that very form. As he shared with me the legends about what all this meant, I was filled with uncertainty and delight. That day started a journey that is continuing through today.
Swami Ramananda passed away on June 30, 2004.
This year, on the 19th, I set up a shrine room in my house. My tradition is to wait 24 hours after setting up a shrine before performing a ceremony. Yet, I wished to touch that uncertainty and delight from so long ago. I sat by the newly placed altar, reading Chapter 5 of The Gospel of the Stone. The room seemed filled with others, I almost glimpsed them as I looked around. Using Ramananda’s writing as my springboard, recalling the events in their unfolding. I chuckled, hearing once more the ‘Ranger Talk’, remarking to my friends in laughter about how many times the National Forest Ranger had said to ‘look to the Watchman Mountain’.
Foolish child that I was, Ramananda was secretly smiling to himself – the Hopi legend had told him to ‘look to the Watchman’. As we returned to our campsite, without pause we sat looking at the Watchman Mountain. Later Ramananda would predict the forms that the stars would make above its peak, and share the meaning with me.
This night, I wept as I read his words of how the legend had foretold one would sit beside him as this event unfolded – knowing it was I.
After finishing the chapter, I sat in quiet for a while – Feeling and Listening – wondering what might be in store. A strength from an unknown depth within, arose and became the surface of my being. A gentle impression came forth: “The time is right, completion is at hand; your yearning to walk the Path of the Ancients is before you – Walk.”
In Joy I arise, In Joy I am sustained, Into Joy I journey.
On this day, in 1973, I sat with my Teacher, Swami Ramananda, listening as he would predict the next symbol that the stars would form, and watching in astonishment as the stars proceeded to create that very form. As he shared with me the legends about what all this meant, I was filled with uncertainty and delight. That day started a journey that is continuing through today.
Swami Ramananda passed away on June 30, 2004.
This year, on the 19th, I set up a shrine room in my house. My tradition is to wait 24 hours after setting up a shrine before performing a ceremony. Yet, I wished to touch that uncertainty and delight from so long ago. I sat by the newly placed altar, reading Chapter 5 of The Gospel of the Stone. The room seemed filled with others, I almost glimpsed them as I looked around. Using Ramananda’s writing as my springboard, recalling the events in their unfolding. I chuckled, hearing once more the ‘Ranger Talk’, remarking to my friends in laughter about how many times the National Forest Ranger had said to ‘look to the Watchman Mountain’.
Foolish child that I was, Ramananda was secretly smiling to himself – the Hopi legend had told him to ‘look to the Watchman’. As we returned to our campsite, without pause we sat looking at the Watchman Mountain. Later Ramananda would predict the forms that the stars would make above its peak, and share the meaning with me.
This night, I wept as I read his words of how the legend had foretold one would sit beside him as this event unfolded – knowing it was I.
After finishing the chapter, I sat in quiet for a while – Feeling and Listening – wondering what might be in store. A strength from an unknown depth within, arose and became the surface of my being. A gentle impression came forth: “The time is right, completion is at hand; your yearning to walk the Path of the Ancients is before you – Walk.”
In Joy I arise, In Joy I am sustained, Into Joy I journey.
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