In a spectacular visualization, the Tibetan tradition states that the syllable hum (part of Om Mani Padme Hum), although blue in color, radiates five different colors. The dot (drop) on the crescent should be blue, the crescent is white, the head is yellow, the syllable 'ha' is red and the vowel 'u' is of green color.
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Y Azul

Not too many days before during an almost trance-like state a name was revealed to me. Y Azul. At the time I wasn’t sure what it meant, however, I understand a bit more now. I wanted to share some of these aspects with you. Blue, by some sources, is associated with the Moon, Mercury and Venus, along with Aquarius (some other sources don’t associate it with Aquarius, but since it is the sign of water, I feel that it should be.)

In Arabic Azul means blue. In Spanish Azul also means blue, along with the ‘Y’ meaning ‘and’.

Here is the meaning and symbolism of the color blue derived from various sources. I have divided this section up for easier reading.

The color Light Blue represents:
Tranquility
Happiness
Understanding
Patience
Health
Element of Water
Goddess oriented
Feminine aspects.
The color Dark Blue represents:
Impulsiveness
Depression
Changeability
Psychic.

Blue is the color of spirituality, intuition, inspiration and inner peace. It is also associated with sadness and depression (the "blues"). In healing blue is used for cooling and calming, both physically and mentally. In the aura blue indicates serenity, contentment and spiritual development.

Indigo is associated with psychic ability. In healing, use indigo for relaxation, reassurance and promoting psychism. In the aura indigo signifies a seeker, often of spiritual truth.

Blue is idealistic, rational, honest, and tranquil. Goethe observed blue to be the most negative colour, the closest colour to black. Many languages do not distinguish between blue and green: in Egypt, light blue was considered green and dark blue, black. Light blue is more spiritual, dark blue more sociable.


Blue as a reference to the Chakras or Energy Centers of the Body:
Fifth chakra (throat=light blue): When it's clear, you tell the truth. When it's clogged, you're in denial.
Sixth chakra ("third eye"/forehead=dark blue): When it's clear, you're intuitive. When it's clogged, you're confused.

Blue in Buddhism

Transcendental Buddhas, personification of the abstract aspects of Buddhahood, are each endowed with a different color in their sadhanas - Akshobhya - Blue bodied, is one aspect.

Specifically it is believed that by meditating on the individual colors, which contain their respective essences, the following metamorphosis can be achieved: Blue transforms anger into mirror like wisdom.

In a spectacular visualization, the Tibetan tradition states that the syllable hum (part of Om Mani Padme Hum), although blue in color, radiates five different colors. The dot (drop) on the crescent should be blue, the crescent is white, the head is yellow, the syllable 'ha' is red and the vowel 'u' is of green color.

Blue
Eternity, truth, devotion, faith, purity, chastity, peace, spiritual and intellectual life, these are some of the associations that appear in many different cultures and express a general feeling that blue is the coolest, most detached and least "material" of all hues. The Virgin Mary and Christ are often shown wearing blue, and it is the attribute of many sky gods including Amun in Egypt, the Sumerian Great Mother, the Greek Zeus (Jupiter to the Romans), the Hindu Indra, Vishnu and his blue-skinned incarnation, Krishna.

In Buddhism both light (sky blue) and dark aspects of this mysterious color are important. The significance of the light shade is reflected in the supremacy of the semi-precious stone turquoise in the daily spiritual and religious life of the devout Buddhist, who holds various beliefs about this stone. In general terms turquoise is a symbol of the blue of the sea and the sky. Infinity in the sky speaks of the limitless heights of ascension. The stone is opaque as the earth, yet it lifts the spirit high, laying bare to us the wisdom of both the earth and the sky.

When worn in a ring, it is believed to assure a safe journey; worn in the ear it prevents reincarnation as a donkey.

Turquoise has also been held as a sacred stone by ancient cultures other than the Tibetan. It was sacred in Egypt along with malachite and lapis lazuli. It was also sacred to the Persian culture, where it symbolized purity. American Indians believe it to be a protector and guardian of the body and soul. Gypsies wear this stone in their navels, believing it to be good for everything. Nothing illustrates more the spectacular influence of the darker blue on Buddhist aesthetics than the 'Blue Buddha', also known as the Buddha of Medicine or Healing.

The most distinctive feature of this Medicine Buddha is his color, the deep blue of lapis lazuli. This precious stone has been greatly prized by Asian and European cultures for more than six thousand years and, until relatively recently, its ornamental value was on a par with, or even exceeded, that of the diamond. An aura of mystery surrounds this gemstone, perhaps because of its principal mines are located in the remote Badakshan region of northeast Afghanistan, an all-but-inaccessible area located behind the Hindu Kush. One commentator has written, "the finest specimens of lapis, intensely blue with speckled waves and swirls of shining gold-colored pyrite, resemble the night aglow with myriads of stars."

E.H. Schafer summarizes the Buddhist interest in lapis lazuli:
"The Chinese were not alone among the Far Eastern peoples in their admiration for the blue mineral. The Tibetans valued it above all others, even ahead of gold, and those highlanders saw in it the image of the azure sky, and said that the hair of their goddess had its color. Both men and women wore it on their heads."

Indeed to this day, statues prepared in Tibet and the Himalayn kingdom of Nepal have their hair painted blue.

Traditionally this beautiful stone was used to symbolize that which is pure or rare. It is said to have a curative or strengthening effect on those who wear it, and its natural smoothness allows it to be polished to a high degree of reflectivity. Specifically in alternative medicine, because of it being associated with a certain 'coolness', it is used when inflammation is present, or when any internal bleeding or nervous condition exists. For all these reasons, plus the fact that deep blue light has a demonstrable healing effect on those who use it in visualization practices, lapis is the color of the principal Medicine Buddha, making this stone an important one in Buddhist mysticism.

Indeed the Lapis Healing Master is one of the most honored figures in the Buddhist pantheon. In one of the main sutras (canonical texts) concerning the Medicine Buddha, Shakyamuni tells his close disciple and attendant Ananda:

I beseech you, Blessed Medicine Guru,

Whose sky-colored, holy body of lapis lazuli

Signifies omniscient wisdom and compassion

As vast as limitless space,

Please grant me your blessings.

Blue Emotionally

BLUE
Blue is the second most powerfully emotional color after red. It is linked to devotion and harmony. Lighter shades of blue can be associated with understanding, health, tranquility, protection, peace, and general happiness. It sharpens the power to perceive, heightens spiritual awareness, and increases one’s patience. Darker shades of blue can be related to depression, moodiness, changeability, impulsiveness, unfortunate circumstances, and can be very subduing. Dark blue is also connected to fanaticism. In more positive light, blue is the color of nobility and tranquility. It has elements of healing, peace, the psychic. Blue is the color of the element of Water - symbolic of the ocean, sleep, twilight, and the sky. As a calming color, it produces feelings of constancy and faith and can reflect images of sensitivity, truth, sleep, hope, friendship, wisdom, loyalty and ones desire to nurture. Piety and sincerity are coupled with blue as well as creative self-expression, communication, wisdom, confidence, integrity, truth, freedom, and independence. Unity, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, and coldness are linked to blue. In other situations, blue is the color most associated with technology, and is sometimes used as an appetite suppressant.

In Christianity, blue symbolizes Mary and Advent. In Hindu belief, blue represents the throat chakra and is color of Krishna. The Zuni used this color to symbolize the west. In China it is associated with immortality. In Colombia it is associated with soap. Jews see it as a color of holiness and those of the Middle East see blue as a protective color.

Blue is often considered to be the safest global color.

Around the twentieth century it became a symbolic representation of the male gender, particularly in Western cultures. As an aura, blue most often reflects many of the traits discussed above (calmness, truth, devotion), and may also indicate the development of telepathy. Darker shades reveal deep devotion but may also indicate loneliness. Royal blues are for those who know their life’s path. Darker, muddy blues might show over-sensitivity or forgetfulness. Blue is also the color of meditation and spirituality.

INDIGO
Indigo is the color of dignity and high aspirations. Light blue is seen as a color of tranquility and invokes feelings of higher intuition, psychic powers, and trustworthiness. The darker the color is, the more powerful the application. Indigo provides calm and coolness without feeling cold, like an icy blue. In Hindu belief, it is the color of the third eye chakra. Inner vision, intuition, clairvoyance, perception, imagination, concentration, peace of mind, and projection of will, are all manifestations of indigo.

Blue Associated

Blue positive aspects represent: Peace, tranquility, calm, devotion, sincerity, honor, steadfast, dependable, loyal, productive, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, spirituality, intuition, inspiration, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, ice, coolness, technology, appetite suppressant, love, acceptance, patience, understanding, cooperation, comfort and loyalty. * Pale blue (baby blue) stands for an infant boy.

Negative aspects can be: depression, obscenity, fear, coldness, and passivity.

Some Cultures associate blue:

• China - associated with immortality.
• Colombia - associated with soap.
• Hindus - the color of Krishna.
• Jews - holiness.
• Middle East - protective color.

* Note: Blue is often considered to be the safest global color.

Associations of the color blue:
Planets: Moon, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter
Days: Monday, Friday, Saturday, Thursday
Astrological: Libra, Sagittarius

Indigo Children, Crystal Children

If you have some time, please click on the links below to learn more about these topics.

The terms, "Indigo" and "Crystal" were given to two generations of children, because they most accurately describe their aura colors and energy patterns. Indigo Children have a lot of indigo blue in their auras. This is the color of the "third eye chakra," which is an energy center inside the head located between the two eyebrows. This chakra regulates clairvoyance, or the ability to see energy, visions, and spirits.

Many of the Indigo Children are clairvoyant The Crystal Children have opalescent auras, with beautiful multi-colors in pastel hues. This generation also shows a fascination for crystals and rocks,

At Month’s End

“The mark of your ignorance is the depth of your belief in injustice and tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.” From the book Illusions.

One of the characters, the messiah of the book, says at the end of the book, “But I think…I like the drama…” He said this concerning being shot by what he calls a friend for he thought it would be best to be murdered by a friend than some angry person. I have to admit I laugh a lot, even at times when most would be upset, crying, or angry. It’s the drama, although I’ve never considered myself one for drama, I suppose I like the drama of life, these sketches I’m drawing for amusement, my personal amusement. I never realized how much drama I have drawn for my life, but as I reflect upon some of those things at this moment, I laugh. What a life I’ve lived! I have lived in many places, met many people, learned many things and all through these dramas created in my life dream.

I feel as though I have lived a thousand life times just within this one life dream. Maybe I was trying to get as much out of this life as I could, maybe I still am. I’m sitting here as usual in the big, comfortable, square, blue-clothe covered chair in the Living room looking out the window at how the beauty of the grounds is coming to life. It’s amazing what beauty comes about when something is loved and cared for. Yesterday I desired to play with rocks, so I started cleaning up around the old garage where a pile of rocks sat. I discovered more flowers, some ferns, some old junk, glass, and as I began to put the huge rocks into place, circled a bit away from the building, I could see what an incredible art studio it could be. The rocks will create a circular outdoor area once filled with dirt and covered with crushed granite to be packed which will create an awesome place to sit. From that outdoor space one can see in all directions. The building needs some loving care, but amazingly is in overall good shape for its time upon the earth. I see it, as I do most spaces, not as it is, but as it can be. I suppose that is my gift; I see things as beautiful, with a purpose. I used to try to create these things on my own, however, now I realize that I NEED others to help create the beauty I see. For me, it’s in sharing the vision and having someone work with me to express the beauty. Although there are times, like yesterday, that I greatly enjoyed throwing rocks alone, there are times that I desire company.

Today is another beautiful sunshine filled day. This week is supposed to be very warm, so my intents are to continue preparing Lonnie’s garden area for planting. I’ve already trimmed his orchard and started cleaning up around the garden. There are things I would like to accomplish to help him have the kind of garden he desires. I’m setting my intentions to visit my friend Larry, the Architect and Bike/Café owner, in Columbia towards the end of this week. I’m looking forward to visiting with him and several others up there, like Tomas (the deaf photographer with a gentle spirit), and Coyotey (a kind hearted young man who works for Larry and is a Reiki Master).

This is almost the end of the month, and although I was caught in a fog for a bit, I’m beginning to see clearly that I’m just to enjoy being. I’m just to enjoy the drama that I have drawn for myself, the same drama that brings about the emotions to be felt. Life is good, because I have drawn it this way.

Thought for now (this isn’t for everyone): Jorge, what’s up? Kelly, what have you been doing and how is your new love? I find that while I’m out and about that I miss the communications from my friends, as lately only a few have been sending emails. I wonder what everyone is up to and how he or she is doing. I see the value of communication, in sharing your life with others. How are you doing today?

The sunsets here at The Cabin in the Woods are incredible. This was taken the other night as the sky was filled with beautiful pink, orange, blue, and the earth seemed to be swallowed up in darkness.
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Stillness

I have just awoken from 12 hours of rest. After the last two nights of struggled sleep, I finally feel refreshed. Surprisingly, Roadie stayed on the bed until I woke up, and he let me sleep, not licking my face to wake me up. I suppose he knew I needed the rest.

Yesterday dearest Finnabair, Lonnie and Terese sent me an email saying to “chill out, you’re searching to hard.” It was funny because I had been out walking in the woods and meadows here at the Cabin because I was feeling the same thing. I spent the day relaxing and not really do much of anything.

Last night’s sleep was peaceful, energizing, and from my dreams, all about letting go. We ask the question, then let it go, releasing it. We call something to be, then let it go wrapped in golden light, so that is can become. Today, I’m letting go, and am just going to enjoy being. What a beautiful day it is, with the sun shining bright upon the pale blue sky, the multi-colors of green shimmering in the pines against the blue. It’s even warm outside. I think a walk is in order today, it’s so nice to walk around here, explore. I might try to see if I can find the cave again.

Thought for now: ( ) You put in a thought. I’m trying to let all of mine go for the moment. LOL

I found these flowers growing by the old garage amongst the rocks and old grass.
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These flowers are blooming all over at the Cabin. Refreshing yellow in the midst of brown.
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Life is what we create it to be.

Friday, February 24, 2006

“Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you.” From the book Illusions.

As I sit here at almost 1:30 am, quietly with Roadie beside me, an old movie playing on the small black and white TV that Galen Rose had recorded and I’ve been reading. This particular aspect caught my attention. ALL of the events of my life are here because I have drawn them here. Now I have to ask myself, why would I draw some of the events of my life? What purpose did I have in creating them? If I created or drew them into my life sketchbook, then they have something important for me, or I wouldn’t have put them into this life sketch.

Today as I burned the many limbs trimmed from the trees in the Orchard, my thoughts abounded with wisdom that can only be attributed to the collective knowledge of the Universe. At one point I wish I had a recorder to record what I thought, as I have found that many thoughts are fleeting, whoosh, and they are gone. All of the thoughts dealt with this fact of drawing the events into my life sketch.

Last night I thought about writing an ending for this persona known to many as Sebastian, yet something stopped me. Maybe there is more to my life sketch than I realize, or do I know it and just not accepting it into my conscious mind? I struggled through sleep last night as though I was fighting against something. The sheets were torn from the bed, curled up in various angles on the bed; my mind was adrift with thoughts of what happened during the night. As I sit here I am trying to bring to my conscious mind what was happening in my subconscious mind. It seems that I have something more to do here and I haven’t written the ending of this persona, Sebastian. But what is it that I have written, or drawn, for him to accomplish.

Yes, I can see that perhaps he will have to change his character from the wounded child he perceived himself to be and into the other-worldly man I met in St. Louis. That man seemed to be totally aware of the fact that he was the master dreamer, confident in knowing what is was he was dreaming, and the purpose for which he dreamed. For as long as I can remember I have never felt part of, connected to, or belonging to, this physical world. Perhaps I have always been aware that I am only a dream, an illusion, dreamed by the master dreamer, the master magician, and I didn’t understand. I think I’m beginning to understand, but it seems foggy like that late night misty haze that lingers around you, where you can barely see two steps in front or behind. Perhaps that is why I haven’t had clear thoughts of late. My mind has been fogged up by so many possibilities that this dream can be.

The question was, ‘what you choose to do with them is up to you’. Now what? Yes, I have learned many valuable lessons from the events of the past, and even the events of the future because I can see them all. I think back to events that have brought me to this point in perceived time, that have helped me draw the persona of Sebastian. What do I choose to do with them now? That’s easy. Appreciate them, learn from them, and allow them to fade as the pages of a book left in the sunlight for too long. There is a new chapter being written, being drawn, in this life sketch. For I believe I know what Gabriel meant when he said that ‘I’ would die within a few months, that I would go ‘blind’ by months end. For at this moment I do feel blinded as I sense the death of a persona I had drawn called Jimmy Lynn Boney who changed his name to Sebastian Lynn St.Troy, and who will be reborn through creative writing, through the power of The Creative Mind, into a new persona. He will be shown the name given to him before time, the name known to the Universe. He will be sketched as strong, quiet, reflective, knowing, worthy, powerful, and most importantly a lover of life, of people, of all living things. This is the man I met in St. Louis. I do not yet consciously know his name, however, I know when the numbers are cast it will be a master number, as he is the master dreamer.

He scares me at times, as he always has, and probably always will because I sense that others may not understand who he is or why he is here as the master dreamer. Perhaps he isn’t just one, perhaps he is the collective here to dream as one so that together they can dream something greater than just one could. I’ve been asking the wrong question, no wonder I haven’t had an answer. The new question is what are our names, what name are we called by? Azul. Now who is this, but there is more yet unknown as that is only part of the name. As I was still and quiet more came to me. I didn't undersand the word azul, but it means Blue. The symbolism of this color is great. I'll set my intentions to write about the color Blue. The other part of the name is 'Y', meaning 'and'. And Blue, it's an interesting name - Y Azul.

What is it that I, we, am here to dream? Is it the Creative Conscious Connective? Is it to bring more into knowing, into gnosis, into awareness? I have seen the C3 in my mind and it’s far reaching capabilities. I see clearly the people coming here to learn, to grow, to establish great connections, and then to return to whence they came to live openly amongst the people in their life sketches drawing more into a collective dream. What would happen if we all consciously dreamed together, creating a world without fear, without illness, a world, an illusion, a dream, where all were drawn, written, into knowing, into awareness? I see the beauty of this dream. Am I the master dreamer? Are we, together, the master dreamer?

Thought for now: What have you drawn in your life sketchbook? What have you dreamed into your life? Why did you dream, or draw, them? I do not know the answers to your questions, as I’m only now seeking my own. Perhaps together we can find the answers.

A Dream, of Sorts

Part II - continued from the previous post.

Roadie has been barking most of the night at something outside the cabin. When we walked outside so he could potty, he didn’t want to walk down the steps. He finally came out when I walked into the yard. He seemed nervous about something. He kept watching me while he attended to his business. Then instead of coming inside, he wanted to stay at the top step; he kept looking at something unseen to my tired eyes, and just sat there. I asked if it was The People of the Woods, I even said hello to them, but I didn’t sense it was they he was seeing. He has been barking like this for two nights now.

I hadn’t felt the presence of The People of the Woods lately, however, tonight I’m sensing a great host of beings about. It seems they have gathered here for something, or someone. There are Seraphim, Cherubim, and many others here. I am asking why they have come here and they said ‘because I have begun to know of their existence here, that they have always been here’. I’m typing with my eyes closed, as it seems to help me see. The angels of the heavens, the guardians, princes, guides, and spirits of all time they are, and they are here. I’m about to cry because I feel extremely humbled by their presence. Are you the ones that Roadie sees? I ask.
‘Yes, we are.’
Why are you here?
‘You called us.’
Why and how did I call you?
‘You sent Gabriel’s angels to all corners with a message to bring you the gifts you seek.’ Roadie is barky loudly now. Yes, I had asked Gabriel to send his messengers into the world to bring about a request for gifts to allow me to travel, learn, and not to worry about monetary things.
‘That’s why we are here. We are bringing you the gifts you seek.’
What gifts?
‘Knowledge, awareness, your name, the wealth of all, together so that you as the master dreamer will have what you need to be free to dream the greatest dream.’
You are scaring me.
‘Do not be afraid. The dream is for all, it is for the common good, because you do not dream for yourself, instead you dream, draw, and write so that all may share in a beautiful dream that only The Creative Mind can dream.’
Why am I the one to do this?
‘Because you are blessed, this is why you have never felt that you belonged here, because you, although in this perceived time seem to be one, are in fact the master dreamer, the one who can call things into being by just a thought.’
How do I do these things?
‘It will all be shown to you, just believe.’
I’m afraid at this moment, I’m afraid to think, to move, to type, but they keep telling me to type. I’m afraid to open my eyes. Am I really this person you speak of?
‘Yes. Dream, live it, write it, create the illusions for everyone.’
I didn’t ask for this in my request to Gabriel.
‘Yes, we know, but it was what you really requested, and the minor aspect of wealth will also be granted.’
I’m being told that I am to dream, this is something that I have known that I was, the dreamer. Maybe that’s why I always see things when I look around, instead of seeing what is perceived to be there.

WOW, my eyes are open, yet I still sense they are here. I feel as though I have been in a trance, no longer present in this moment. It feels as if time stood still, yet flew by as if it didn’t exist. There are tears in my eyes, amazement in my heart, and humility of being because I am not sure this is who I am. Yet, many psychics have told me that I was a wealthy and powerful ruler in times past. Perhaps I was. Perhaps I still am. I cannot write anymore at this moment. I need time to reflect.

Y Azul. And Blue. Blue represents many aspects and I will share these soon. But for now, I am And Blue.

A Storm is coming.

After what I experienced last night I was drained and fell asleep. I slept peacefully until this morning when the alarm went off. I was going to ride with Kathleen this morning so she wouldn’t have to drive alone to a meeting in another town. However, I needed rest, so I slept. When I awoke, it was if I had been dead. I needed to slowly breathe and each breath seemed to fill my body with life. It was an interesting experience for sure.

As I sit here now, with Roadie curled up and sleeping beside me, I’m looking out the window of the front room into the forest and meadows beyond. The sky is like a fog, It’s as if one single cloud, thin and translucent, is covering the sky as there seems to be no end, no beginning, just the sky. It seems there is a storm heading this way as the wind, the swift wind of change, is blowing.

I am thinking, and have reread, about what I experienced last night and I am about to cry again. I do not fully understand this level of awareness, nor it’s meaning. I just want to sit some where and be quiet for fear that if what the spirits said last night is real, then if I think, I can create, I can dream, and I can write things into existence with just a thought. I suppose we all have this power.

“Your conscience is the measure of the honesty of your selfishness. Listen to it carefully.” Another quote from Illusions.

“We are all. Free. To do. Whatever. We want. To do.” Is another quote from Illusions that I read. It seems that there is a great truth here. I’ll wait to hear, and see, the answers to this. For now I am trying not to think, but the words keep flowing.

Thought for now: Change is the only thing in life that can be counted upon to happen. My name Lynn means a large body of water, the refreshing one. Water changes, it flows, it goes along freely to become, to be, many things. Am I open to change? Am I a dreamer, a writer, an artist, a magician, and can I (can you, can we all) create whatever we want to do, to be?

Bird Songs

The lawn, the trees, and porch, the fields, the buildings are all alive with the songs of birds. There are Wrens, Redbirds, some yellow birds, and many others. Their songs are delightful and lift my spirits. My spirits are lifted even higher as I watch them fly about, reminding me that I am free to fly. There’s a redheaded woodpecker in the tree out the front window, knocking, knocking, knocking on the tree. His little head bobbing back and forth as he does what is his nature, peck. I have purchased some bird seed to place out for them and look forward to seeing them enjoy the free food.

I have spent the day (yesterday) burning the limbs trimmed from the trees in the orchard and some old piles of limbs. Roadie and I played some rolling around in the grass, as it has dried up now from the melted snow. As I have gone through the day I have felt a bit at odds with myself. Towards dark I came inside and laid down on the sofa. As I lay there I kept thinking to myself, ‘I’ve accomplished the things I wanted to do here, so why do I want to keep this persona in this life dream going any longer?’. I acknowledged the fact that I could decide to allow this persona a chance for an end. I fell asleep. I spent the night in an awkward type of rest because it seems I was struggling with myself trying to determine if there was something I was to be doing.

It seems that there is something, what I’m not sure, however, I know it will reveal it’s self in time, when it is ready to be. I’m finding that by knowing that I’m the dreamer and can change things at will that I’m having to sort through a lot of things in my head. As I have said before, I am not my own, but I am. I suppose everything that has been is to prepare me for service to human kind, no longer to pursue selfish endeavors.

“Some of us start learning these things subconsciously. Our waking mind won’t accept it, so we do our miracles in our sleep.” Quote from Illusions.

I suppose this is why I struggle so much in my sleep. It seems that my conscious mind and my subconscious mind are getting in touch with each other. My dreams have always been my guide as they have told me where I would be going, who I was going to meet, and much more. Since I have become aware that the subconscious mind is strongly connected with the universal whole I have understood more. I’m learning, and suppose it will take another life time, to be aware at every moment of what the subconscious mind knows.

“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.” Another quote from Illusions.

I have longed believed this and I suppose this is why I have created (called into existence) my true family – Momma Gretchen, Brother Jorge, Sister Finnabair, Father Lonnie, Great Uncle Punky, and so many others. Yes, I love and honor my birth family, however, it’s my chosen family that I enjoy the most.

“Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they are yours.” Another quote from Illusions.

WOW! Talk about the power of words here. I used to argue for my limitations, now I argue against them so I can free myself of them. I hear so many people arguing for their limitations and know why they are limited, it’s because they believe they are. I am no longer limited, I am free like the birds to fly, like the eagle to soar, like the winged horse to ride free upon the winds of change, like the vulture who soars with ease on the currents (the wind’s version of water’s flow), all because I have come into awareness. We are all free, we just have to realize it.

“Imagine the universe beautiful and just and perfect, then be sure of one thing: the IS has imagined it quite a bit better than you have.” Another quote from Illusions.

Thought for today: What limitations have you argued for yourself? Are you ready to argue against them, to set them free to find freedom? Who is your true family? And, what beautiful universe have you imagined? If this life is just an illusion, that we as master magicians are creating, then I can’t wait to see how beautiful it can become when we all dream of the beauty together. It still won’t compare with the beauty that is real.

Illusions

“You are led through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real self. Don’t turn away from possible futures before you’re certain you don’t have anything to learn from them. You’re always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past.” Quote from Illusions The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

The sun is shining brightly sharing its warmth upon the earth drying the water from the melted snow of days past. I am sitting here typing this morning, something that I am trying to make part of my morning routine. Routine – Wake up, stretch in the bed, play with Roadie, slip out of bed and into my slippers and a shirt, walk with Roadie to the front door, put Roadie outside, start the tea kettle, prepare Roadie’s breakfast, open the door for Roadie to return, give Roadie a treat, write in the journal, prepare morning tea because the tea kettle is whistling, prepare breakfast, continue writing in the journal, sit quietly in meditation. That is my current morning routine. I’m hoping in time to add yoga.

What we perceive as life is a dream, an illusion. We are the life dreamers, the illusionist, and the hypnotist. We make life into what we want it to be. Are you aware of this? Are you aware? This is something that I hadn’t been aware of, and instead lived by the negative energies of lies and stories that I had believed over the years about myself (what others said or thought about me), about the world around me, and what I believed about spiritual things (what I had been taught to believe through the church – modern religion). Only by awakening from the dream and being able to realize that I was the dreamer was I able to break free from the limitations, break free from what others thought and said, and break free from the literalism of religious teachings. I have begun to read Illusions, The Adventures of a Relunctant Messiah and I am thankful for the two people who have provided this book to me. I encourage you to read this short but very thought provoking book.

I think back to a few days ago when I wrote about what Gabriel had told me about my future. I had asked him if I could change my future and he said yes. I didn’t fully understand this until I kept asking more questions. Then I realized that I had the power (the ability to call things into existence, to dream them) to create whatever future I wanted. I also realized that my past had changed because I wanted it to change, not in a perceived reality, but in how I looked at it, how I perceived it to be. The power to change our life dream is amazing. We can free ourselves from limitations and find true happiness by calling it to be. We all have this power; it’s in becoming aware, of waking from the dream to realize that you are the dreamer.

Thought for now: What are your illusions of this perceived reality?

President’s Day

Monday, February 20, 2006

We are all painfully aware of the lies that our current President Bush is using to convince the public to continue supporting his war in Iraq. This was all developed in order for his family and friends to gain control of the oil in Iraq and to further his and his family’s interests, not the best interest of the American people. Yes, I know some might say that I’m out of order, but it’s all true and documented. Is it our best interest to continue to spend BILLIONS of dollars on a war that doesn’t benefit the American people? Is it in our best interest to force our way of living and beliefs upon another race of people? Don’t you think that it would be in our best interest if the BILLIONS were spent here in the United States for better education, for taking care of the people left homeless from the hurricanes, for improving the infrastructure of our country, for finding more earth-friendly energy for use in cars and homes, and for any number of better purposes than war?

I finished reading ‘The Laughing Jesus’ last night and the last thing they brought up was the war in Iraq and how President Bush responded to the events of 9/11. As I read what they said I was saddened because I know that there are many so called Christians who believe that this war is the right thing to do. But if they were really followers of the teachings of the Christ then they wouldn’t believe this to be so. They would follow what the Christ taught about loving your enemies and forgiveness.

This is a quote from the book, “As long as we live in the ‘us versus them’ world created by the illusion of separateness, we will continue to squabble and fight. We will continue to project the evil within ourselves onto ‘them’. It will always be the other side that is untrustworthy, duplicitous, criminal and inhumane, whilst we are good, honest, legal and loving. It will always be the other guy who is a terrorist, whilst ‘we’ are the freedom fighters. As a press conference following 9/11 President Bush stated:

How do I respond when I see that in some Islamic countries there is a
vitriolic hatred for America? I’ll tell you how I respond. I’m
amazed. I just can’t believe it because I know how good we are.

He’s right, of course. But only half-right. America is a good country. And in many ways it is leading humanity into a new and better world. But America, like every country and every person, has its shadow side. As long as it refuses to acknowledge this, it will continue to project its own ‘evil’ onto the ‘other’. In an ‘us versus them’ world there must always be an evil ‘them’. Just look at how, when the ‘evil empire’ of Soviet Russia fell, a new ‘axis of evil’ was created within a few years to fill the void. … From the Gnostic perspective, the first step to healing the present world crisis would be for us to be big enough to understand our enemy’s point of view. As Jesus says in the Gospels, we need to stop pointing out the speck of dust in our opponent’s eye and acknowledge the great plank of wood in our own. We need to seek out and humbly acknowledge everything we have done to divide ‘them’ from ‘us’. We have to make amends for our own failings, whilst forgiving our adversaries. We have to trust even where trust has been betrayed. And love even where love has been rejected. We need to refuse to play the game of winners and losers, and make it clear that we can only win TOGETHER.”

I continued to read and here are some great quotes found in ‘The Laughing Jesus’.

“Our highest duty as human beings is to search out a means whereby all beings may be freed from all kinds of unsatisfactory experience and suffering.” The Dalai Lama.

“A human being is a part of the whole, called by us the ‘universe’, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest – a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” Albert Einstein as he expressed the Gnostic perspective.

“The problems of today cannot be solved with the same mind-set that created them in the first place.” Albert Einstein

“The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.” Philosopher Bertrand Russell

Here is the final thought in ‘The Laughing Jesus’: “Let’s both appreciate and improve. Let’s remember to value each mysterious passing moment. Because being alive is magical. Let’s respect ourselves and admire each other. We are amazing. You are amazing. You are the mystery of existence made manifest. You are the universal mind which is imagining this magnificent cosmos. And you are a unique human being with the opportunity to contribute your verse to the glorious song of life. There is no one in this world who is greater than you and none lesser. You are a marvel. There are no words adequate to describe all you are. Let’s stop being so sober and celebrate our existence. Let’s stop being so frightened of life and adopt a pronoid perspective. Let’s live lightheartedly and revel in the humour of our predicament. Because life is a black comedy so ironic that most of us miss the gags. ‘God is a comedian playing to an audience too terrified to laugh’, as Voltaire quips. So, let’s lighten up and enjoy the show. Then we’ll understand why the Gnostic Jesus laughs. Because life is funny. But only heretics get the joke. … If you can learn to laugh at yourself you’ll have a lifetime of amusement. And when you don’t take yourself so seriously, it is easier to be good-humoured with others. We are one human family. So, let’s learn to play nicely.”

“The best way to live is to be in the present moment and get along as best you can, trying to see the funny side of things.” Pagan Gnostic Lucian.

It’s President’s Day. A day to celebrate our presidents. It’s also a day to stand up and hold our leaders accountable for what is best for our country, not what is best for them. You might think to yourself that writing just one letter to your Congressional Representatives or other political leaders won’t do anything, however, that one letter when combined with others makes a very powerful voice. Stand up, make yourself heard, and let your leaders know what you think. It’s time we take control of the United States of America and rule by the common good, not the good of a select few.

Thought for today: Can you laugh at yourself? Can you stand in front of a mirror naked and laugh, fully accepting the mystery of who you are? This is something that I’m learning to do, part of the reason I’m learning to fully accept what I look like, who I am, and what I believe. Are you tired of our political leaders running the country for their own personal benefit? Are you tired of a war that only exists in the mind of a president who created it to benefit himself and his family? Are you ready to stand up and make yourself heard? I’ve been writing my congressional representatives for some now on everything that I think is being done wrong – the Iraq War, the Veteran’s Medical System, the hurricane relief, and so much more. I always get their standard response, but I’m not giving up, because I have hope that my letters will one day be combined with many others to let our leaders know what the people really want.

NOTE: If any of the things you read from my quotes from “The Laughing Jesus” by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy has raised questions then please look for the answers. I believe that we are all capable of finding the answers for ourselves. I also wanted to share the following link for The Alliance for Lucid Living – www.timothyfreke.com or write to them at: P. O. Box 3733, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA69WZ, England

This is a close up of the pretty pink flowers that were budding on the limbs I cut off the trees in the orchard. This one is in the Living Room at the cabin, my laptop is on the sofa behind and if you look out the window you can see the snow and that it's dark outside. I don't have water at the moment, but thankfully I have some jugs of water stored here. The flowers are so pretty and make me feel warmed in the cold.
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I saved these budding limbs from the orchard and they hadn't flowered yet, but just look at the pretty pink flowers now. This is a huge bucket of flowers sitting on the table in the kitchen here at the cabin. I'm glad I saved these as I'm sure with the snow and major freeze the trees that were cut back are troubled, but I know they will come back beautifully.
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The sign says, Caution Children Playing. The sign says it all I think. I was playing, I am a child at heart, and shucks, just go out and have fun, be a child for moment and take on a different perspective of life. LOL Happy Birthday! Wasn't that what Frosty the snow man said when he came to life? Frosty, children, singing, playing, having fun, lets all go have some fun.
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My little sister, Paula, requested that I make a snowman for her and my neice, so here it is. He's more like Caspar the Ghost snowman and he's only about 8 inches tall. But it's the best I could do as the snow is very fine and doesn't want to stick together.
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Friends, Snow, and Learning

Last night I talked with my friend Larry who lives up in Columbia. While we were talking online one of his friends Coyotey (Andy) came online and Larry introduced us and we began to talk. Andy works part time for Larry from what I understand. Coyotey is the name some of his friends call him and he his into Reiki and energy healing. He holds special spirituality classes on Saturday evenings and Larry and I will be attending next Saturday. I greatly enjoyed talking with them both last night, as I had been feeling a bit lonesome. I am excited about going to see them. I learned of a Health Food store called Clovers and have my intents to visit there and pick up some food and supplies. Larry is going to take me driving to go see the small town where his bike shop is located. He says it is a beautiful place on the river.

I also talked with two other people last night, both of who haven’t ever talked with someone who thought of them as special and accepted them for being themselves. One was Tomas, a delightful photographer who is deaf. He used to live in DC and is finding it challenging to live in Columbia. Larry sells his photography in his shop. I also talked with a young man named Andrew who is studying Equine Management at the university there in Columbia. I enjoyed all of these conversations as I enjoy talking with people. I learn from them and it helps me to learn to stay awake to the mysteries of the moment. I have set my intentions towards meeting both of these men while I’m in Columbia, especially Tomas because from what I gathered he doesn’t have many friends who know sign language or who appreciate art. From my conversations with these two men it seems that they are looking for awareness but aren’t sure how to get there. If I’m to be here to teach, then I’m to teach (guide) people into awareness. Through finding awareness they will find and know their true selves, love and the love of living.

Last night I was reading in The Laughing Jesus and I wanted to share some ideas contained within the book. First is something that I haven’t fully understood, but I am learning. “Authentic teachers are self-confessed phoneys. That doesn’t mean they are hypocrites. In fact it means they are much less likely to be hypocritical, because they are conscious of both how wise they are becoming and how foolish they remain. Someone is for real when they feel a fraud. This is why Pythagoras refused to be called ‘wise’ and called himself only a ‘lover of wisdom’ or ‘philosopher’. And why in the gospels Jesus does not allow his disciples to call him ‘good’.”

Before when I was a teacher in the church I always felt foolish or that I really didn’t know what I was teaching. Even now I’m not sure what I’m teaching but I know now that it’s all part of the process. I am becoming a ‘lover of wisdom’ and am fully aware of how much I do not know. The more I know, the more I realize I do not know. I also read the following, “The test of a teacher is simple. Look at their students. A teacher can be trusted if they have helped their students wake up and move on. But they should not be trusted if they have made their students into dependent sycophants regurgitating the words of the master, but never thinking for themselves.” This is something that I have always known and put into practice as I have looked at various teachers.

I also wanted to share another aspect in the book. “Far from providing the ethical glue which holds us together, Literalism pulls us apart. In the Gospels Jesus urges us to forgive those who wrong us, but this doesn’t stop the Literalist Christians demanding that transgressors of the law be punished severely, not forgiven. It is the Religious Right which champions retributive justice, from hitting naughty children to the death penalty for adults. For Literalists violence is the solution, but for Gnostics it is the problem. Retributive justice is hurting ourselves again. We suffer both as the victim and as the perpetrator. ‘An eye for an eye’ is the justice of separateness. ‘Love others as yourself’ is the justice of oneness.” I’m sure you can get the idea here. As I have heard many say of the Religious Right, they are limited in their thinking that they are right and everyone else is wrong.

As I have read in The Laughing Jesus, I am realizing that I am more a Gnostic than anything else. It’s not about prescribing to any one idea of spiritualism, but rather appreciating the knowledge and wisdom of everything and every moment. Again, the more I know, the less I know for there is so much to learn when we open ourselves to the wisdom of the ages, that collective knowledge of the unconscious, the universe. Here are a few quotes for your thoughts:

“The God proclaimed by the law and the prophets is not the God of Jesus Christ. The God of the Old Testament is known, but the God of Jesus Christ is the Unknowable.” By Christian Gnostic Cerdo.

“Every one should know and remember that his state is unique in the world, and that no one ever lived who is exactly the same as he; for had there ever been anyone the same as he, there would have been no need for him to have existed. In reality each person is a new thing in the world, and he should make his individuality complete, for the coming of the Messiah is delayed through it not being complete.” By the Jewish mystic Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlaw.

“When a person loses himself into God, he immediately finds himself in the service of all that lives. It becomes his delight and recreation. He is a new person never weary in the service of God’s creation.” By Mohandas Gandhi.

“Do you want to be good? Then first understand that you’re bad. The beginning of philosophy is making conscious your own weakness and failings.” By Pagan philosopher Epictetus.

I also wanted to share this thought that was in the book:

“Lucid living is unconditionally loving everyone and everything. Do you love unconditionally? Take a look the options below and see which best reflect your own attitude:

I love life when I like what is happening.
I love life as it is and try to change things for the better.

I love others if they are loveable.
I love others regardless which may help them become more loveable.

I will love myself when I become a better person.
I love myself anyway and this might make me a better person.”

Another aspect of friends is the animals that share this physical plane with us. Last night I enjoyed companionship with Blossom and Ziggy, the two dogs who are part of dearest Finnabair’s life. They came for a voluntary sleep over and we have all enjoyed being in the warm cabin while the snow is falling outside this morning. Dogs love unconditionally and are such great companions. I was surprised when Blossom decided to stay here, but Ziggy has stayed here before during the Mr. Bear incident. Blossom is very special and she loves me greatly and is always so happy to see me. I think that dogs just want to be around unconditional love because that is what they are. The dogs are all asleep at the moment in various places and in various positions. You’d have to see them to understand.

Outside the snow is falling and I’ve included some photos for you to see. The neighbor’s horses are still here and roaming around the cabin. I feel sorry for the horses and for the owners. For the owners because the negative energy of not properly caring for the horses will be returned to them. It’s that aspect of hurting self that hurts everyone. I called the sheriff’s office last night to see if they could come get the horses. I didn’t sense that they seemed concerned. If I had the money I would buy the horses from the owners and find them good homes. There is one, a mare with white stockings and face that is always coming to me and looking into my eyes. I sense in her a longing for love and care. I have always enjoyed being around horses and have longed for the day when I could have some in my life again. I am saddened to watch the horses outside, especially the one mare. Does anyone have a horse trailer and a place to keep them? If so, please come help me. This is one thing that I realize now, that I cannot exist alone and that I need others to help make this life the best that it can be for everyone.

I was supposed to go with Kathleen to the Gideon’s breakfast in Thayer, but when I called her this morning she said we weren’t going because of the snow. I was looking forward to getting out and meeting people again. However, I suppose I’ll have to wait for a bit to enjoy the company of others. Momma Gretchen told me the other day of the importance of my being around people. It’s what gives me pleasure. I also need my alone time, but it’s in being with people that I find the greatest pleasures of living.

The snow is still falling and the pines are covered with snow. It’s a magical day.

Thought for today: Do you love unconditionally or conditionally? I think we all love conditionally, but it’s being aware of this fact that helps us to learn to love unconditionally. It’s that knowing the good and bad aspects of yourself that helps us to improve our lives and the lives of others. Also, do you love all living things? Are you a good guardian of the animals in your life?

This is on the front porch of the cabin. You can see that the snow blows every where even under the porch as everything on the porch is covered, even the lumber I'm using to renovate the front room with.
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Another photo taken from the front porch of the cabin, if you look just to the top and right of the post you'll see the horse looking up at the future meditational prayer space.
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Blossom is such an incredible dog. She protected us as we walked through the woods during the Mr. Bear stories, and loves to have her back scratched.
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Saturday morning, February 18th, at the Cabin in the Woods. This picture was taken from the front porch.
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Saturday morning with snow and this is Roadie curled up and sleeping in my lap. I'm under the comforter.
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Seeing, Knowing, Living

Preface:
The following writing was accomplished over the last few days as I have dealt with something in my personal life I have been writing this as I have been experiencing the awareness of what is reality (or perceived reality, isn't life a dream?) In one of my earlier Blog entries I said that I had some issues to work through so I wouldn’t be writing for a bit. I didn’t mean to alarm anyone, however, you’ll understand after reading this entry why I needed some time to just be still and quiet. I hadn’t posted this but now I’m ready to post it and share. I will warn you that you should read through this completely before coming to any conclusions. It was my jumping to conclusions and literalism that lead to my personal alarm, and why I needed some time. There may be moments of concern in this writing (I wanted to share how I was feeling and thinking as I was feeling and thinking.); however, the outcome is fabulous!

Seeing, Knowing, Living

For artists and creative individuals sight is important. It’s not just the physical sight; but also the sight of creativity – that being able to see something before it’s created. I have always been the creative mind. I have always been able to fully see things before they were created, painted, written, built, or arranged. This ability mostly depended upon my being able to see physically the space I was going to change or build. Two years ago I lost my ability to see and many thoughts passed through my head. I questioned if I would be able to ever create again. I slowly regained my eyesight but with some impairment – I see ghost images. This is because the optic nerve was damaged. During the day this isn’t so noticeable, however at night it’s very obvious because a light becomes five lights and is very bright. I’ve learned to overcome this by focusing on the center light so I can determine where things are, and I don’t drive too much at night. The main question I asked myself was if I would be able to live without sight.

I realized upon asking that question that I could live without sight, but it would require a major change in my way of living, what I did, and how I did it. As I was loosing my eyesight I started memorizing my surroundings so I would know where things were and would be able to get around. I learned through this that being able to make a mental map of where things were was sort of like seeing without sight. It was creating a visual of things inside the mind. I asked myself if I would be able to do my consulting if I didn’t have sight. I didn’t think I could then, however now I believe I could. This is because I have learned to pick up on the energies of things without having to see them. This new knowledge has helped me to work through many things. It is through knowing (knowledge – not book learning) that we each can live our lives to the fullest. Life is meant to be enjoyed; and is very short compared to the reality that time is only fleeting. I have lived a full live with many adventures, many learning experiences, many loves and many friends. I have, over the last few years, been able to find my true self and to let go of the things of the past, the stories about events, the hurt and pain, and the things that caused me to not be able to become the man I met in St. Louis – my true self.

Realizing that life is short is important because it helps us learn to appreciate each moment of living. It’s in this living in the moment that life happens and can be enjoyed. It’s in being aware of everyone and every thing around you that you learn to appreciate them and their place in your life. It’s been said by many that I was gifted, talented, incredible, special, a genius, and much more. However, although realizing this about myself, I haven’t felt like that most of the time. Mostly because I couldn’t see the person that others saw. Two years ago I faced death and over these last two years I was told to get my affairs in order, so I did, and I accepted the possibility of the end of this physical life. I suppose the best part of all this is that I changed the way I lived, what I did to improve my health, and how I saw life. I became aware of being, of being connected with everyone and everything, of being one with all.

I know that this life may not last long, however, I have learned to enjoy each moment that is here, each person and thing that is with me in each moment. With this knowledge of how live can be lived to its fullest I have changed. I suppose that with this knowledge I am prepared for what ever is to come. Gabriel, my guide and protecting angel, told me something the other night that has caused me to question many of the things I have been doing and why I was doing them. Gabriel told me that I would loose my eyesight within a month’s time. He also told me that I would die within three months. I wanted to write about it this so I could look at my words while I could and to also keep track of the things I’m being told by Gabriel. Part of me hopes that the things he said won’t come to pass, but everything else Gabriel has told me has happened.

I don’t know what my life will be like when I cannot see anymore, but I do know that I will still be able to ‘see’ many things. It might help me to stay centered and focused, still and quiet. If everything that Gabriel told me happens, then I won’t have to deal with not seeing for long. Seeing, knowing and living have been my existence here, my purpose here, and what I am here to help others achieve. I only hope that my presence upon this physical plane has helped someone, even just one person. I’m ready to live again, but not in the physical plane, I’m ready to live again as energy. Ready to be free to go and do, to fly high above everything, to see everything, to be everything, and to be reconnected with what I have missed being a part of all my life – a higher being. I’m at The Cabin in the Woods as I write this and I am curious as to where I should go, where I should live, and what will happen to my dearest companion and friend – Roadie. I know that these answers will be presented when the time is right. I know that things will be as they are supposed to be in the universe.

With the information Gabriel gave me, I have changed again. I’m curious as to why I no longer care of about the same things. I have been questioning many things, wondering why about everything. I am hearing the song, ‘Just Breathe’ and it is reminding me to just breathe, let everything be as it is will be, and to let go and allow life to unfold naturally. I suppose I have no choice in this, so I will have to let it unfold, as it will, as it should be.

For now, here is my thought for today: Can you see, not with the eyes, but with awareness? Do you know, not with book knowledge but through awareness? Are you living, not that mundane type of living that most do, but really living through awareness? Are you accepting of life and allowing it to unfold naturally, being fully accepting of what shall be? There’s a song playing now and it’s saying – enjoy every minute of life, laughing loudly, do you think I’m strange? Be strange to the world and people around you, be different, stand out, live out loud, and live with awareness.

Part II – The Good News

Well, today while I was trimming trees in the orchard behind the cabin I started talking with Gabriel. I have almost completed reading ‘The Laughing Jesus’ and what I am learning there is about being awake to living. While Gabriel and I talked I began to ask questions about what he told me previously. What he said wasn’t to be taken literally; it was a warning, a guide to get me to wake up. It seems that even though I greatly enjoy the cabin, I need to get moving again so I don’t stop seeing (learning, being aware, and seeing those things about life that so many seem to miss, and what I have learned to enjoy seeing.). The dying part was about me no longer being I, but becoming the man that I have always been, the man I met in St. Louis. Paul in the Bible talks about dying to self. I understand that and so much more now – Take up your cross and follow me was what Jesus said. What they are talking about is waking up to the realization that we are part of something greater. The death or dying (cross, which is what is symbolizes) is when we become aware that we are no longer separate individuals, but indeed are connected with every other living thing.

When I first started reading this book I had some trouble trying to get through it because of what I was taught to believe about the Bible, Jesus, and so many other things. But as I have read it, I have a greater understanding of the words in the Bible. I have a greater understanding of who Jesus was and what he taught. The words in the Bible have come to life now. Jesus talked about waking up, dying to self, taking up your cross, and to follow him as he lead the way to enlightenment as some put it, but to me it’s waking up to life and love. A real life and a real love that is grounded in knowing that we are not separate from each other, but instead part of each other.

It seems that the Literalist Religions of the world have sinned (missed the point, as the word ‘sin’ means in Greek.) by preventing people the ability to awaken. Instead they try to teach that we have to be limited, to be sinners. I’m not a sinner! I’m a saint because I know the God who lives within me, the same God that exists in each of us. It’s that same God that connects each of us. I used to be part of the Literalist Religions and even preached and taught. I’ll admit that I didn’t like the way the church ran even then, and always felt that the real message wasn’t being taught. I understand now. Maybe with this knowledge of awakening I can find a way to help others who have been trapped by the literalism of the church.

All of this experience has taught me to keep being aware of each moment. To live and to love is something that we all seek. And, that for now, I need to keep traveling so I can continue to learn about so many things. I’m not going blind and I’m not going to die. However, this was an experience I had to go through to learn about asking questions, seeking the answers, and finding understanding. It was about me learning who I was and what I believed.

Thought for today: What do you believe about the Bible, Jesus, and religion? Do you feel that there is something more, but you’re not hearing it from the church? I’m not saying to leave the church, but to ask more questions. When people ask questions, they learn. We are here to enjoy living and to love. Isn’t that what the Bible and Jesus taught? Are you a Christian – a follower of the teachings of Christ who lives the life Jesus lead? Most people think of themselves as Christians, however, their daily lives say differently. They are not awake to the truth of what Jesus was teaching us. Find awakening, truth and understanding in what ever way you can, from what ever means you can and then you’ll understand what I’ve been talking about, what the Bible talks about, what other scriptures talk about. It’s about being alive and loving, loving being alive.

Singles Awareness Day

Today is St. Valentine’s Day. Although it really has nothing to do with the Saint Valentine that it is named after, it is a day in Western Culture that lovers express their love for each other. This holiday, like so many others, were attempts by the church to transform pagan festivals. In Ancient Rome, the day of February 15 was Lupercalia, the festival of Lupercus, the god of fertility, who was represented as half-naked and dressed in goat skins. The Catholic Church back in the 400’s decided to change that festival so they created St. Valentine’s Day. It was originally a feast, and had nothing to do with lovers. The lovers part actually was incorporated from the Fesitval of Lupercus and other aspects.

For those of us who are single this day represents being single. If you listen to the hype created by stores and the media you might think that the way to express love for someone special is about buying gifts or taking them out to a fancy dinner. Well, those things aren’t so bad, but wouldn’t it be better to show them that you love them by doing those things throughout the year? Wouldn’t this day be best by actually doing something special to show your love for your partner? Do we have to believe what the stores and media say is right? (well, just that question has many aspects for life in general.) I believe the best expression of love is in doing, not saying or buying things. It’s in being there for them, it’s in listening to them, talking to them, and in general learning how to love the person that they are and what is important to them. Thus, being single does has its appeal.

Tomorrow is Single’s Awareness Day (SAD). It was originally celebrated by a group of singles on Valentine’s Day, but they decided it was better to have their own day – the day after, February 15th. It is a day for singles to celebrate being single by having singles parties, by sending gifts to yourself, and just enjoying being single. I guess today I was SAD by the thought that I was single, however, tomorrow, I’m celebrating being single. I might just light a fire in the meadow, bang some sticks on a log for music, and dance naked in the moonlight. Anyone want to join me in this celebration? Shucks, everyone I know is in a relationship, except for a few. I guess Roadie and I will dance together. Being single isn’t something new for me as I haven’t been one to go looking for love. I’ve enjoyed being single, but I have often wondered what it might be like to actually fall in love again. I’m not sure if it will happen, but for now it’s about enjoying each day and the mysteries it presents.

I did receive a very special Valentine’s Day E-card from my friend and client Peggy. She’s a wonderful woman who is bright, energetic, loving, caring, compassionate, understanding, patient, and beautiful. It was a great card about what would happen if there were more people who were true friends, that the world would know more love. It made me almost cry. I hadn’t been feeling very loved lately, and even feeling very alone. I know these are just thoughts, but sometimes even I subcum to negative thoughts. It’s a learning process for me to work through them because each one is different. I am loved and I’m not alone is the resulting positive thoughts and this I know.

Thought for today: Do you know that you are LOVED and that you are NOT ALONE? You are loved and you are not alone in this physical plane. Just take a good look around you, who expresses love to you by their encouraging words and actions? It might be a stranger, your co-worker, your spouse, or anyone, but the love is there.

A Break for Centering

Today is Sunday and I have spent most of the day inside because it has been very cold here in Missouri. I prepared lunch for Kathleen and we talked for a few hours. We then went over to her home to check on a leak she noticed by the pump house. The water softener was leaking and causing the pump to run nonstop. I changed the flow of water from the water softener directly to the house so it would bypass the system. I cut the power off to the softener and began checking things out. Because of the way the softener was constructed I couldn’t figure out how to undo things to find the leak, so Kathleen said that she would call someone to have them come look at it. I also showed her a small leak at the pump and she said she would also call the pump repair people for them to look at it. I wish I felt more comfortable doing plumbing so I could have helped more, but at least we were able to stop the leaking for now.

Need for Centering, Finding Answers, and Taking a Break

Lately, I have had many questions arise in my mind about my life, so I am going to take some time to seek the answers to these questions. I will be taking a break from writing in the Blog, although I will still be writing in my journal. I have some things to work through and sort out and don’t feel that I can share them here just yet. I will set my intentions to post my journal writings when I have sorted things out more, but for now they need to remain private.

With this said, I hope everyone will understand that there won’t be many Blog entries in the coming days. I will let everyone know when I am posting again.

What I would like to see is what others are going through, what questions they are asking, how they are living life, and how they are growing. So please post your comments by clicking ‘Comments’ at the end of each Blog entry and then clicking ‘Post Comment’ to write your thoughts. Maybe if others are encouraged by my writings, then, they will also be encouraged by yours. You don’t have to be eloquent to write, just write. Don’t be afraid to share you thoughts, you might find others who also share those thoughts and together you can find the answers, the encouragement to live, and the strength to live life fully.

Thought for today: Where are you? Where are you in life? Where are you in your relationships? Where are you in your career? You get the idea of the question. It’s open ended. Where are you?

Snow and Finding your Path through the Darkness

Friday, February 10, 2006

SNOW

It’s about 9:30 am. Roadie is playing with his new, very large, dog bone and I’m sitting here writing and watching the snow. At first there was just a little flurry, but now it’s really coming down. It’s like I’m inside of one of those snow globes that you shake to make it snow because where I’m sitting I can see snow all around me through every window. It’s so beautiful. I have spent years in Alaska, Wyoming, Colorado, DC, and New York so I’m used to snow, however, I have missed it living in Texas. Everything is slowly being covered in a blanket of white. I feel like I have stepped back in time again and am curious as to what the first settlers out here thought about the snow, how they lived through it, and how they did anything back then.

I think of the people of the Irish Wilderness (Part of the Mark Twain National Forest) who suddenly disappeared from the area. Who were they, where did they come from, and where did they go? I suppose this is the book that dearest Finnabair is setting her intent to write about. I thought that The People of the Woods might be these same Irish settlers, however, I asked Joshua and he said that they were not, that the Irish settlers moved on to another area quietly and in secret. Then asked him if they were not those settlers then who were they. He said that they were here from the beginning of time, fallen angels. So I asked him about the name McLoud, and he said that they (The People of the Woods) came here to help the Irish settlers and the settlers gave them names. I asked him why they didn’t go with the settlers and he said that they (The People of the Woods) loved it here and that the settlers would be save when they left here. So it seems that Joshua and The People of the Woods were here to help and protect the Irish settlers because it was a troubling time for them. Joshua says that they showed the settlers a way to leave here so they wouldn’t be followed. Now I am curious as to where the settlers went.

Last night before sleep I read some more of The Laughing Jesus – Religious Lies and Gnostic Wisdom by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy. I would like to share something that I read in there that resonated with truth.

“In The Gospel of Thomas Jesus promises:
I will reveal to you what no eye can see,
What no ear can hear,
What no hand can touch,
What cannot be imagined by the mind.

What is it that you can’t hear, touch, see or imagine? It is awareness which is witnessing the seeing, hearing, touching, and imagining. The message of the Gnostics is that if you really come to know your self you will discover you ARE awareness.”

In another section of the book they write, “The word gnosis is usually translated as ‘knowledge’, but it is better to think of it as a state of knowing. Gnosis is not information like the ‘knowledge’ you picked up at school. Gnosis is not a theory about life which you can learn. Gnosis is a state of awakening that arises when you examine the present moment and become conscious of what you are actually knowing right now. Most of the things we claim to know are actually just opinions which we believe. To experience gnosis we need to differentiate believing from knowing. It is possible to doubt all our beliefs, but what we are knowing is self-evidently certain in the moment. We don’t have to give up our opinions to experience gnosis. They may be useful, beautiful, valid opinions. But we do need to discriminate them from what we actually are knowing now.”

I hope that this helps some of you understand what gnosis is about. I have discovered that those who have had to face death are very aware, are Gnostics. For their creativity, their beliefs, their living in the moment has increased greatly because they have become aware, they are awareness.

Because it’s snowing, I believe that Roadie and I will stay curled up in the quilt for a bit and enjoy the beauty of nature from within the warmth of the cabin. Time to prepare the morning tea and something to eat.

Thought for now: What do you believe you know? What questions do you ask of what you believe? What do you know about NOW – this moment in time?

Part II – Written on Saturday, February 11, 2006

Finding your Path through the darkness.

I am writing this after a day of questioning where I am currently in life and along my Life’s Path. I haven’t written because I needed some time to clear my mind, ask questions about where I am and what I’m doing currently, and to sort through some issues that were raised in my life.

All of my life (43 years now) I have known that I was very different than most. It seems that I have always been aware of this human form as just temporary and that in fact I was part of something greater, that I was before this human form, and that I wanted to return to that greater being. I remember taking long walks through the woods at my grand parent’s farm in rural Louisiana and I would look up into the sky and ask to please let me go back home. I remember talking to the trees and the animals. I have always been drawn to magic, to mystic things, to the things of other realms. I didn’t know about all of these things until recently. I have struggled greatly in this life to find a place to belong, to be accepted in this world, and a way to exist here with an understanding of why I was here. It hasn’t been easy and I have often tried to run away from who I knew I was and what I believed in.

There has only been one placed that I believed was home and that was my grand parent’s farm, but that was taken away when I became estranged from my family. Since that time I have felt lost without a purpose or a place to call home – a place of safety and refuge. My best friend, Jorge, provided a safe place for me to find myself again, however, I was so lost that I couldn’t appreciate that gift at that time. I now know how much of a gift he gave to me. Jorge, Thank You!!!!!

The trouble with being special is that others are either afraid of you or they see you as being special and forget that you are also human and have feelings. Sometimes great expectations are placed upon me and in order to free myself from those expectations I either would run or knowingly not meet those expectations. Being a free spirit is just as troubling as being special because I live in another realm – the dream – and it’s hard for others to realize that the best way to treat or work with a dreamer is to allow them that freedom to just be, to dream. When I am allowed to dream the world and the universe are open to me and there are many things that can be accomplished, but when I’m held captive by other’s thoughts, ideas, or expectations I have always tried to find a way to be free again to be who I was. I’m learning to live in this physical realm but to also be true to who I know I am. It requires some times of reflection and questioning, but it’s been worth it in the end.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak with a client who is becoming a friend, Brink of West Elm Properties. We started discussing the listing he had that had issues but then began to discuss things related to Gnosticism. It seems that from my travels that there are a lot of people out there that feel that they don’t have anyone to talk to about what they are experiencing in this life. I enjoyed our conversations and the time we shared. Brink is a special man and I see him accomplishing many things in the coming years.

Today, I have spent the day inside the cabin here in Missouri at dearest Finnabair’s preparing the front room to become a wonderful Welcome Center/Work Space/Reading & Writing Space/Office and burning several piles of old limbs that were piled up in the old garden. With these piles of limbs now gone, the space is opening up and it seems to be breathing a deep breathe. It’s so nice to look around and not see the dead limbs piled up. As I have worked on the new front room space I felt new energy from being active and allowing my creativity to flow. There is some work ahead before the new space will be ready, however, it will be a great room that grounds you to the earth, reminds you of being in the woods, and allows for reading in a comfortable chair, writing at an antique desk and chair, and being able to utilize a computer at a comfortable desk. The new space with the great views out of the three windows will allow the mystery of this place can be enjoyed from indoors.

Tonight I enjoyed dinner and conversation with Kathleen. She prepared a delicious veggie soup and veggie salad of water chestnuts, carrots, apples and walnuts. After eating we talked about her Sunday School lesson she was preparing to teach in the morning. I enjoyed my evening with Kathleen. I asked if she would join me for lunch after church here at the cabin and she said she would. I suppose I will have to clean off the table so we can eat as I’ve placed some of the things from the front room there for safekeeping.

Thought for today: Do you know who you are? Have you found your place in this life? Have you found your purpose? I’m finding that to find the answers to these questions I have to ask a lot of questions. I have to be able to be open to looking in various places. I have to be still and quiet so I can hear the answers. I know it will be an ongoing thing for me to find my place here but I know I now have the way to do it – asking questions and being still and quiet to find the answers.

This is the meadow you first see as you drive onto the property where The Cabin in the Woods is located. There are many other such beautiful meadows here that can be explored and enjoyed.
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This is the driveway up to The Cabin in the Woods. This picture was taken standing at the gate looking towards the cabin.
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This is the road that leads up to The Cabin in the Woods. As you can see it goes up and down, up and down.
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An Apology

Today I was reminded of the fact that people share things with me in confidence. The things we talk about aren’t necessarily meant to become part of this Blog. When I write I just write what is on my mind and I haven’t been mindful of whom I’m writing about and what we have shared. Thus, if I have shared any information in this Blog about you or anything that you have shared with me in confidence, please accept my sincere apology. It is never my intent to cause any harm to anyone through my writings or to share things that they don’t want shared with others. If there is anything contained within this Blog that you do not desire to have posted here, please, please, please let me know and I will remove it promptly.

I have lived my life so openly that I sometimes I’m not aware of the idea of having to keep some things quiet, shielded, or private. I suppose I’m learning that there is power in silence. The power of words is great, so I will have to be more mindful of the power of my words, both spoken and written, so as to not cause anyone any alarm or harm. However, through this apology I’m also going to encourage others to seek to live their lives openly without fear of how others think, believe, or perceive them. I have found that by living my life openly and being true to myself that I am free from worrying about what others think about me as even though some may not fully understand, most seem to accept me for being me.

I apologize to anyone if I have shared anything here that you didn’t want shared. I was just sharing the experiences so I could express some ideas to help and encourage others. Please forgive me.

Namaste.

The Great Protector

I’m not sure exactly what to expect at the moment, but whatever it is I’m sure it will be interesting. Roadie seems to always know when there is something going on outside the cabin and he is ever so protective of me. So rather it is of animals, spiritual beings, faeries, leprechauns, those in between, or something else I am sitting here now at 4 am waiting to see what shows itself. Roadie woke me up barking out the window again next to the bed. We’ve been sleeping comfortably in the middle bedroom (the Children and Creativity room) ever since the Mr. Bear incident. I asked Roadie what he saw and even gazed out the window to see if I could see what he was barking at, but couldn’t see anything. Then he did something funny to me, he ran around the bed, then sat up on the pillow where I had laid my head and put his front paws over my head and kept barking out the window. I sensed great protection from him at that moment. I cannot tell you how much love rushed through me at that moment. I became energized so I got up and threw my clothes on, picked up Roadie and we went outside to our morning routine. He seemed a little nervous until I walked out onto the lawn, then he ran out there with me. He kept watching me and looking around growling until I told him that nothing out here was going to harm us. I couldn’t wait any longer so being in the country, I just did what comes naturally, finally so did Roadie. When we were done we came inside and now sit on the big chair curled up in one of my grandmother Lee’s quilts. It was lovingly made of blue. It’s like being under the water and looking up to see all the various colors of blue above you when you look at one side and like seeing the night sky filled with stars when you look at the other side. I’ve had this quilt on my bed for years now. It reminds me of her. I’m typing and Roadie is ever watchful and protective by staring out the front windows and growling, as if to warn whatever it is outside to stay away.

I’m working on teaching him that he doesn’t have to growl at everything, only those things that mean us harm. However, he’s a little guy, well, not so little any more and getting bigger by the day, so he’s learning what all of the various creatures are. I hope in time that he comes to know which ones to growl at and which ones to be friends with. I find it hard to express how much love I feel for Roadie, but anyone who has seen us together knows. I do more things with him that I have never allowed to be done with other animals in my life – like his kisses. Those loving Roadie kisses all over my face, sleeping in the bed with me curled up together, and playing most of the time. Well, he is now on my lap, sitting on my knees and attentive to something outside the window. He amazes me at times because he seems to be taking to his protective role very well. I suppose God knew I would need a great protector and I was ready to provide the kind of love and support for a very special being in my life. Love is a powerful thing. It allows for so much to be accomplished. Through love Roadie has been able to become the strong protector, the perfect companion, a playful spirit, and such an incredible friend. Through love I have been able to overcome the past, learn to live in the moment, learned to live life without fear, and to acknowledge my need for others. I have learned to recognize the god/goddess in others, to respect others as individuals, and to realize that even though individuals that we are all connected – one.

Coming into this gnosis (awakening from the sleep before of not knowing) of the fact that everything is part of the same has changed how I look at people, animals, beings, and nature. It has changed how I talk to them, how I treat them, how I live, and what I do. I’m more mindful of chemicals and how they hurt mother earth, and the fact that when we hurt mother earth we are hurting ourselves. This is evidenced by the fact that for centuries now human have been polluting and we are all becoming sick from those pollutants. This is further evidenced by the fact in how we treat others (how we see them, how we think of them, and how we speak to them) affects our own lives. For when we speak hurtfully of others we are hurting ourselves. The more I read “The Laughing Jesus” the more I am realizing what Gnosticism is all about; what power there is in being awake.

Last night before sleep I read about the various renaissances that took place over the years in various parts of the world. It was through the Gnostic’s philosophy that things began to change for the better, but it was through the Literalist Religions and those who subscribed to Literalist ideals that the renaissance was crushed. You can look around today and see this same thing happening. The Fundamentalist (particularly the so called Christian Fundamentalist of America) are working over time to prevent new ideas, to prevent the people from becoming awake, preventing creativity. If you are part of a fundamentalist organization, I have to ask you, “why?” Religion, churches, and any thing else that prevents growth doesn’t have a purpose in the lives of those who seek truth, knowing, and understanding – those who seek true spiritualism, that divine state of being, and those that seek the god/goddess within and developing a relationship with the true God that is IN everything.

As I type this morning I do not feel that lost feeling. I’m realizing that even though some times I have to do things for others, it’s more important that I take care of myself so I can have the time to read, meditate, pray, discover truth, design ideas, and then speak. It seems my voice is in my writing and in my living what I believe. The other day I sent an email to my father and brother, both whom I haven’t spoken with in some time. I hope for them that they might be able to see the truth that their views of how life should be aren’t correct, but limited in thought. I pray that they will find a way to over come what the church has taught them and to learn to find truth on their own. I’m sure they will in time especially if they begin the process of communication. I noticed a change in my mother because of her speaking with me, seeing how my sister and her family has changed because of what I have shared with them, and watching the changes that have taken place in my life. Thus, I know that in time my father and brother will also come into understanding. I also know that Kathleen will also come into understanding, so that we; and the others to come, can share together openly.

The other night while Kathleen and I were dining, she heard a man and asked what he looked like. I told her and she began to tell me his name and what he has been through. As we left the café, she stopped to say hello to him and his wife. I had earlier seen the man light up when I said something to Sarah, our server. After being introduced, I walked over to his side of the table and knelt down to speak. I shared that I also had similar experiences and shared that I sensed that we were connected. He brightened up and said, “yes.” I could see in his eyes that he was awake, no longer asleep to this life. His wife seemed not to understand, so I shared that he and I were connected and understood each other. I sensed that he thought he was alone in being awake and had no one to share it with, or that those he did share it with didn’t understand. He said that since his accident, the thing that brought him into gnosis, (not his word, mine) that his creativity is alive and he was discovering talents he didn’t know he had. I hope I get a chance to speak with him more.

Well, it’s almost 5 am now and I’m going to prepare my morning tea and ready myself for the day by meditating and reading. It’s supposed to be a sunny day so I’ll wait to see how the rest of the day turns out.

Thought for now: Are you awake? Wake up! Do you prescribe to fundamentalist literalist ideals or do you know what true spirituality is? If you blindly follow what is being taught by people who don’t understand, people who do not want the masses to ask questions, people who do not accept change, then are you ever going to challenge them so you can find gnosis? Or are you going to stay in ignorant slumber and continue down the path of darkness? Being awake is a wonderful experience. It brings such joy, such excitement, and such pleasures that cannot be expressed fully. Every day is a new day, every experience something to be treasured, and every person and being you meet becomes special.

Thursday Part II
The day of the Woodpecker
Well, after preparing the morning tea and some sweet potato hash browns with dill I took a long hot bath with meditation oils for soothing and clearing the mind. It was very relaxing to meditate in the hot water. After the hot bath Roadie and I laid down for a few hours to catch up on some sleep. When we awoke we dressed and went outside. I heard a knock, knock, and knock on the tree in front of the cabin. It was a woodpecker. Thus today is the day of the woodpecker.

When a Woodpecker totem enters your life, it indicates that the foundation is there and it is safe to follow through. It will stimulate new rhythms. It reflects a wakening of new mental faculties. You may be so wrapped up in mental and spiritual activities that you've neglected the physical. Listen to your body's rhythms and sounds and heed what it is telling you. The Woodpecker is sacred to Zeus, God of Thunder, and the oracle of Mars (Ares), God of War. Shamans can ride the drumbeats of the Woodpecker's rhythminto another dimension, space and time.

I piled some more old limbs on the fire from yesterday because the coals were still going and it was easy to get the fire going. There were a group of older trees that have died and their limbs are scattered around in one area preventing one from seeing the beauty of the forest beyond. Those are the limbs that are being burned. At some point when I have someone here with me, I’ll have to set my intentions towards cutting the trunks down so the smaller trees around them can grow. As the limbs are being removed it is lovely to sit in the cabin and see the forest with the rocks and leaves.

As the fire burned down I realized that I needed to go into town to talk to Shelia at the Sheltered Workshop. Thus I loaded up Roadie and into town we went. Earlier I had requested an address of the cabin from dearest Finnabair and she provided it, however, there is no mailbox so she requested if I could get a Post Office Box. I went to the post office and obtained the mailbox. I stopped by the Sheltered Workshop and talked with Dennis, the director, about my work on their Quickbooks. I just had the computer that I brought here to donate repaired, however, they didn’t install the CD Writer software. Thus my delivering the Quickbooks file to them was going to be delayed one day so I could download the software and install it on the computer. This didn’t take as long as I had anticipated, thankfully. I’m now ready to go back up there tomorrow to show Shelia how to use Quickbooks so she doesn’t get confused. While at the Workshop Dennis showed me some bird houses that the clients (disabled people – I don’t like that term, why don’t we refer to them as gifted.) were making. I asked him about the price for making some owl houses, and several other types of birdhouses. He is going to work me up a price and I will work towards purchasing them to help support the Workshop. I visited Kathleen over at the County Extension office and she informed me that the Directors of the Workshop were going to pay me for my time, however, I’m not doing this for money, so I suppose I’ll have to come up with some way of not getting paid.

I enjoyed lunch at the fabulous Possum Grape Café. If any of you are ever in Alton, Missouri, or even if you know of someone who is passing through, please let them know about this great eatery. I had the opportunity today to speak with Cyndy and her husband, Paul. Cyndy seemed amazed that her husband had sat down to talk with me, as apparently it’s not something he does regularly. However, I sensed in him a desire to be acquainted and I enjoyed our conversation. Cyndy shared some recipes she found in the cookbook I had loaned her. I look forward to trying them out. I also offered some insight that I had gained from the layout of the business and she seemed interested in how I knew about things of that concern. I told her about my consulting work and my success rate. As we talked I realized how challenging it is to talk about myself and to inform people of who I am, what I do and basically how I know things. It was always easy in Austin as my reputation always preceded my arrival. Thus, if any of you who have witnessed my work, please encourage her through a note here on the Blog. I showed as a gift to her a way she could change the energy of the café. She told me about how things had been, especially since they stopped allowing smoking. We talked about various things, and I encouraged her to “call those things that be not as though they already were,” something that seems to be the highlight of my conversations lately. We talked about Mr. Hobbs, the man I met the other night there. I hope in time that Cyndy will come to know that I’m not a quack, but indeed a gifted man who is offering a very gracious gift to help her achieve a successful business.

Roadie and I returned to the cabin and stacked up the fire with some more limbs. It’s very cold and supposed to snow at some point soon. As I sit here typing the meaning of the Woodpecker rings in my head. It’s in doing sometimes that we receive an opening to discuss things with others because they see us work, hear us talk, and then begin to ask questions. The foundations are being laid, it’s time to get physical, it’s time to get out some and meet people, and it’s time to get the word out so others will come to help build a dream.

Thought for today: Have you laid a firm foundation for your Life’s Path, for your life, for your work? I haven’t always laid a firm foundation before, but I’m learning the importance of having a solid foundation so that what you build stands over time and only improves. Have you been working towards a dream? What foundation are you building for that dream?